Perhaps the greatest story that comes out of Augusta National Golf Club this week is the inclusion of Angel Cabrera, the winner of the 2009 masters who plays despite multiple convictions for threats and harassment against two of his ex -girlfriend.
Cabrera spent almost two years in prison in Brazil and Argentina before being released on probation in August 2023. He was later authorized to play at the PGA Tour Champions events later that year.
The journalists asked Cabrera if he “deserved” to play in this year’s masters given the time he spent in jail for his crimes.
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Angel Cabrera walks towards the 14th Tee during a practice round for the Masters tournament in the Augusta National Golf Club. (Peter Casey-Imagn images)
“I won the Masters,” said Cabrera, through the New York Post. “Why not?”
No matter age or rank on the world stage, the winners of the masters receive exemptions for life to play in the tournament every year, and Cabrera is taking advantage of that.
Angel Cabrera wins the first golf event since the release of prison
He also attended the Champions Annual Dinner on Tuesday night after his practice round.
“Life has given me another chance,” he added. “I have to take advantage of that and do the right things on this second chance. Obviously, I regret the things that happened and you learn from them.”
Cabrera won his first golf tournament since he was released from the prison, collecting the victory at James Hardie Pro Football Hall of Fame Invitational, which is an event of PGA Tour Champions. He shot 11 under a couple to see a victory over KJ Choi and Retief Goosen.
Angel Cabrera is shown during a practice round for the Masters tournament in the Augusta National Golf Club. (Peter Casey-Imagn images)
“Everything I have happened in recent years, being here, having the opportunity to win, is very emotional,” he said after his victory.
While there are many calls to Augusta National Golf Club for allowing Cabrera to play, there are some who are excited to see him, such as the winner of 2013 Masters, Adam Scott.
“It’s happy for me. We have a fairly long story,” Scott said about Cabrera on Sunday before Masters week. “I met him for the first time on the European tour before we were both on the PGA tour. We have played presidents of presidents, we have been partners.”
Angel Cabrera takes a shot of the 14th Tee during a practice round for the Masters tournament in the Augusta National Golf Club. (Peter Casey-Imagn images)
Cabrera leaves for his first round in the Masters on Thursday at 10:59 am with Laurie Canter and Adam Schenk.
