Angel Cabrera claims ‘I wasn’t the devil, but I did bad things’ as the 2009 Masters champion is cleared to return to PGA Tour after serving two years in prison for domestic violence

Angel Cabrera has claimed he hopes to recover from 'serious mistakes' after being cleared to return to the PGA Tour following his release from prison.

The two-time Major winner was informed in a letter from senior vice president Andy Levinson that his suspension from the PGA Tour and the PGA Champions Tour had been lifted effective Monday, according to Golf Digest.

The 54-year-old spent two years in prison in his native Argentina for crimes including domestic violence, following allegations of assault, threats and abuse by his ex-wife and two ex-girlfriends. He was granted early release in August.

Now that his path to returning to golf is clear, Cabrera has admitted he made mistakes but insisted he was not the “devil.”

“I made serious mistakes,” he told Golf Digest in an interview in the December-January edition.

Argentina won the Masters in 2009 and finished second behind Adam Scott in 2013

Cabrera, 54, served two years in prison in Argentina for crimes including domestic violence

'I refused to listen to anyone and did what I wanted, how I wanted and when I wanted.

'That was wrong. I ask Micaela's forgiveness. I ask Celia's forgiveness. They were unlucky enough to be with me when I was at my worst. I wasn't the devil, but I did bad things.'

One of Cabrera's biggest regrets seemed to be abandoning the sport and its fans, claiming he could never “repay” golf.

“I feel deeply ashamed that I have disappointed the people closest to me – and everyone who loves me through golf,” he said.

“Golf has given me everything, and I know I will never be able to repay the debt I owe to this sport.”

The Argentine was undergoing treatment for alcohol addiction and attended alcohol education courses six hours a week, coach Charlie Epps revealed to Golf Digest.

Cabrera made his return to golf last week in the Abierto del Litoral at the Rosario Golf Club in his home country, where he finished in 10th place.

He described being back on a golf course as a feeling of “a rebirth” and that his hope is to return to the Masters, which he won in 2009 and finished second to Adam Scott in a play-off in 2013.

Cabrera (pictured in 2020) returned to golf last week, playing in the Abierto del Litoral

Cabrera won his first major in 2007, beating Tiger Woods (R) and Jim Furyk (L) to the US Open

The 54-year-old pictured with the US Open trophy after his one-stroke win at Oakmont

Although he has been cleared to return to the Tour, Augusta National has yet to confirm whether Cabrera will be allowed to play the first major of the year in April. Traditionally, former champions are given a lifetime exemption to play the Masters.

“I made serious mistakes, but I also paid off my debts,” he said. 'I'm going to work as hard as I can to clean up my image. I want to restore the status I had as an athlete.

“Golf is everything to me,” he said. 'It's my life. I have to continue.'

The PGA Tour letter, obtained by Golf Digest, informing Cabrera of his suspension also warned him that “failure to comply with the terms of your release from prison or any additional information regarding your legal situation in Argentina may result in the immediate reinstatement of your dismissal'. your suspension.”

In 2021, his ex-girlfriend Cecilia Torres Mana first leveled allegations of assault, harassment and causing injury against Cabrera.

Cabrera, who won the 2007 US Open, denied the allegations, but his former wife Rivadero and former partner Micaela Escudero also filed charges.

He was arrested by Brazil's Federal Police in January 2021 on an Interpol arrest warrant and spent six months in a Brazilian prison before being extradited to his home country.

After being extradited to Argentina in June 2021, he stood trial on charges of assault, theft, illegal intimidation and repeated disrespect towards authorities.

Cabrera is in custody following his extradition from Brazil to Argentina in June 2021

He was found guilty of assaulting Torres Mana during the time they were together from 2016 to 2018 and began serving a two-year prison sentence immediately after the verdict.

Last November he was sentenced to a further two years and four months for assaulting his other ex-partner, Escudero. He served both sentences concurrently.

He spent eighteen months of his sentence in Argentina's infamous Carcel de Builder, called 'El Penal del Infierno' – 'The Prison of Hell', infamous for holding dangerous criminals.

He was eventually transferred to Monte Cristo, where he was released in August after undergoing therapy and demonstrating good behavior. Golf overview.