Jailed Masters champion returns to Augusta match after 30 months in jail
Angel Cabrera was jailed in 2021 for domestic violence – and is now returning to the Augusta tournament in an attempt to win the green jacket for the second time
A former Masters champion will be returning to the tournament this week after spending more than two years in prison for domestic violence.
Angel Cabrera won the James Hardie Pro Football Hall of Fame Invitational in Boca Raton, Florida, last week. It was his first win on the PGA Tour Champions and his second since being released from prison.
The Argentine said: “It’s very emotional after everything that I’ve gone through the last couple of years, so being here to have these chances again and win again for me is very much.
“And obviously, it was a hard battle out there. Right now, I want to enjoy this. The Masters I’m going to be walking hole by hole, but I want to enjoy this right now.”
He last won the Masters in 2009, but was convicted of assaulting and intimidating two women in 2021 which led to a sentence of 30 months in prison.
The 58-year-old has a lifetime exemption to play in the tournament thanks to his previous win, though the decision to return has faced controversy.
Fred Ridley, Augusta National chairman, said last year that Cabrera could return when his visa issues were sorted. He said: “Angel certainly is one of our great champions.
“As we all know, he has been unable to participate in the Masters the last couple of years due to legal issues. Presently we have been in constant contact with Angel’s representatives.”
Ridley added: “He presently is not able to enter the United States. He doesn’t have a visa and I know that process is being worked through. We certainly wish him the best of luck with that, and we’ll definitely welcome him back if he’s able to straighten out those legal issues.”
Last month, Cabrera discussed his conviction in an interview with the Daily Mail. He said: “Those years have been really tough. Right now, I’m fine.
“But I regret everything that I have done wrongly in my past and I am also frustrated that I dumped very, very important years of my life. I made mistakes.”
He said he found the lack of freedom “really difficult, really hard” and described it as “one of the worst things that can happen to a human being”.
Cabrera added: “On the other hand, you know, I can tell you that the most important thing I feel right now is the second chance, the opportunity to get back on the right track.”
