Ángel Cabrera ‘welcome’ at Masters despite domestic abuse prison term
Fred Ridley, the chairman of Augusta National, has controversially insisted that Ángel Cabrera is “welcome” to the Masters, despite the 2009 champion recently serving a 30-month prison sentence for domestic violence against two of his ex-girlfriends. Cabrera is eligible to attend the championship dinner and play in the tournament as a former Green Jacket holder, but his conviction had sparked speculation over whether the club itself would ban him from attending the major.
The lack of a valid visa currently prohibits Cabrera, an Argentine, from entering the United States. However, the 54-year-old is working to resolve that ahead of his appearance in Georgia in April. “My dream is to bring back that prestigious place,” Cabrera said in an interview with Golf Digest. “I played at Augusta for almost twenty years in a row. It’s like a second home to me. It would be a great privilege to return and attend the championship dinner with so many of the world’s greatest players.”
Ridley has no intention of denying Cabrera his opportunity. “Ángel is certainly one of our great champions,” said the chairman. “As we all know, he has not been able to participate in the Masters in recent years due to legal problems. Currently we have been in constant contact with Ángel’s representatives. He is currently unable to enter the United States. He doesn’t have a visa and I know that process is going through. In any case, we wish him the best of luck with this, and we will certainly welcome him back if he can solve the legal problems.”
Ridley’s approach will surprise many. Cabrera was arrested in Brazil in 2021, where he spent five months in prison before being transferred to his home country. In the same magazine interview, Cabrera admitted his guilt and recalled “throwing a cell phone at my partner’s head.” Cabrera added, “I am remorseful and ashamed. I made serious mistakes.”
Cabrera, who also won the 2007 US Open, triumphed over Kenny Perry and Chad Campbell in a play-off in Augusta two years later. He has talked about making plays to kickstart his golf career on the Champions Tour. “Golf is everything to me,” Cabrera said. “It’s my life. I have to keep going.” He finished second in the 2013 Masters, this time losing to Adam Scott in extra holes, and last played in the Major five years ago.