Former champion Angel Cabrera has defended his presence in this week’s Masters following his spell in prison.
Cabrera, who won the US Open in 2007 and the Masters in 2009, was convicted in 2021 of assault, theft and legal intimidation of former partner Cecilia Torres Mana and assault of another former partner, Micaela Escudero. The 55-year-old spent a total of 30 months in prison before being released in August 2023.
Visa issues prevented him from taking up his lifetime exemption to the Masters last year, when Masters chairman Fred Ridley called Cabrera “one of our great champions”. He also added that: “He has been unable to participate in the Masters the last couple of years due to legal issues. We certainly wish him the best of luck with that, and we’ll definitely welcome him back if he’s able to straighten out those legal issues.”
Now the Argentine is in the field at Augusta National and won a PGA Tour Champions event on Sunday. Speaking to reporters after a practice round on Tuesday, Cabrera was asked what he would say to people who feel he should not be at Augusta.
“I respect their opinion and everybody has their own opinion and I respect that,” he said. “Life has given me another opportunity, I’ve got to take advantage of that and I want to do the right things in this second opportunity.”
Pressed on whether he belonged in the field, Cabrera added: “I won the Masters, why not?”
In an interview with Golf Digest following his release, in August last year, Cabrera expressed remorse for his actions.
“I refused to listen to anyone and did what I wanted, how I wanted and when I wanted. That was wrong,” he said. “I ask Micaela for forgiveness. I ask Cecilia for forgiveness. They had the bad luck of being with me when I was at my worst.
“I wasn’t the devil, but I did bad things. I am deeply embarrassed because I disappointed the people closest to me and everyone who loves me through golf.
“Golf gave me everything and I know I will never be able to repay the debt I owe this sport.”
Cabrera won a play-off to win the Green Jacket in 2009 and was narrowly denied a second when he was beaten in another play-off back in 2013, with Adam Scott getting the better of him on that occasion. He last played in the Masters in 2019.
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