Two-time major winner Angel Cabrera is set to return to the Masters next month after serving two years in prison for domestic abuse.
In 2021, the Argentine was arrested by Federal Police in Brazil for crimes committed in Argentina. According to the Associated Press, Cabrera was subsequently sentenced for threats and harassment of his ex-girlfriend of two years. Her case was later joined by another of Cabrera’s former partners.
In 2023, AP reported that Cabrera was released on parole, with the 55-year-old telling Golf Digest at the time that he was “deeply embarrassed” by his behavior.
Now, the 2009 Masters champion readies for a return to Augusta National after being officially listed as one of the former champions set to take part.
It is customary that former champions are invited to play at the event every year but, between 2021 and 2024, Cabrera had been officially listed by the Masters as one of the “past champions not playing.”
Manuel Tagle, a representative for Cabrera, told CNN the golfer has opted to play in this year’s tournament now that his visa is secured to play in the US. Nothing has changed with his status at Augusta and he remains eligible to be invited to play every year in the Masters, Tagle said.
Cabrera did not play in 2024 because of his visa situation and declined to play in 2020 due to a surgical procedure on his wrist, Tagle said. He could not play in 2021, 2022 and 2023 due to his legal situation.
A spokesperson with the Masters declined to comment when reached by CNN on Monday.
Meanwhile, former golfer Ben Crenshaw, who hosts the annual champions dinner at the Masters, has reportedly welcomed Cabrera’s presence at this year’s event.
According to Golf Week, Crenshaw said it would be “great to have Angel back.”
As well as his Masters title in 2009, Cabrera, who is known as “El Pato,” also won the 2007 US Open.
He played in 12 PGA Tour Champions events – a senior competition – in 2024 and has participated in two more this year. His last event on the PGA Tour came in 2019.
Speaking to Golf Digest in 2023 about the past few years, Cabrera said: “I am repentant and embarrassed. I made serious mistakes. I refused to listen to anyone and did what I wanted, how I wanted and when I wanted. That was wrong.”
When asked about playing again at the Masters, he added it was his “dream to return to that prestigious place and walk the course that gave me so much joy and satisfaction.”
The Masters will be played between April 10-13 this year, where US golfer Scottie Scheffler will be to defend his crown.
CNN’s Jill Martin contributed reporting.
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