In 2009, PGA star Angel Cabrera was on the top of the golfing world after winning The Masters — his second major tournament title.
But two years later, his professional golfing career unraveled in 2021 when he 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.
But the 2009 champion is ready for his comeback to Augusta after being officially listed as one of the former champions set to take part.
The 2009 Champion Angel Cabrera will play in the Masters for the first time since serving his 30-month prison sentence for domestic abuse.
Angel Cabrera last played the Masters in 2019 before skipping the 2020 event and being arrested in 2021 after leaving Argentina while… pic.twitter.com/SHOTASwNhK
— GOLF.com (@GOLF_com) March 3, 2025
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.
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.