Angel Cabrera Returns to The Masters After Prison Sentence

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Angel Cabrera, the Argentine golfer and 2009 Masters champion, is set to return to The Masters in 2025 for the first time since 2019. Cabrera’s absence from the prestigious tournament over the past several years was marked by a 30-month prison sentence for domestic violence and legal complications.

Former Masters champion Ben Crenshaw expressed excitement about Cabrera’s return during the annual Imagine Muny gala in Austin, Texas, on Friday. “I tell you what, I’m excited to see Angel,” Crenshaw said. He praised Cabrera and mentioned that the focus of the Champions Dinner will be on defending champion Scottie Scheffler, but welcomed Cabrera back to the event. “It’ll be great to have Angel back.”

Cabrera missed the Masters in both 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and was unable to compete in 2024 after his visa expired. He was one of 92 golfers invited by Augusta National Golf Club for the upcoming event, demonstrating his status as a former champion, which grants him a lifetime exemption to participate.

Fred Ridley, chairman of Augusta National, previously stated, “Angel certainly is one of our great champions. As we all know, he has been unable to participate in the Masters the last couple of years due to legal issues.” Ridley expressed hope that Cabrera could resolve those issues, allowing him to return to the tournament.

During his imprisonment, Cabrera reflected on his past, stating that his time behind bars gave him insight into his “serious mistakes.” He expressed a desire to become a better person after acknowledging his problematic behavior towards his former partners. Cabrera was convicted of assaulting two women, which led to his incarceration.

This year’s Masters Tournament is scheduled for April 10-13, 2025. Cabrera’s previous triumph at The Masters in 2009 made him the first South American to win the coveted green jacket, and he hopes to make a notable comeback. Crenshaw reminisced about his affection for the Masters course and shared his plans to head to Augusta next week to witness the course’s post-Hurricane Helene changes.

As Cabrera prepares for this momentous return, the golf community watches closely, eager to see how the once-controversial figure will fare in his comeback at one of golf’s most illustrious events.