Angel Cabrera, the disgraced Argentine golfer, is making a return to the Masters tournament this week, just two years after being released from prison.
The 55-year-old, who won the prestigious Masters title in 2009, was jailed for 30 months after being convicted of domestic violence, theft, and intimidation.
His comeback to the tournament has caused quite a stir, with many questioning whether it’s appropriate for him to return given his criminal past.
Fred Ridley Defends Invitation
Fred Ridley, the chairman of Augusta National, addressed the controversy head-on during a press conference ahead of the tournament.
When asked about the backlash to Cabrera’s invitation, Ridley provided a blunt defense, stating that Cabrera, as a former champion, was entitled to a lifetime invite to the Masters.
Ridley emphasized, “We certainly abhor domestic violence of any type, but as it relates to Angel, he has served the sentence prescribed by the courts and he was a past champion – so he was invited.”
This statement echoes Cabrera’s own sentiments, as he has made it clear that he feels justified in returning to the Masters. “I won the Masters, why not play in the Masters?” Cabrera previously said.
He acknowledged the wrongdoings from his past but expressed a desire to move forward, explaining, “Obviously, I regret things that happened and you learn from them, but at the same time, those are in the past and we have to look forward.”
Cabrera’s Criminal History
Cabrera’s criminal history involves serious offenses, including the assault of two women. He was convicted of throwing a mobile phone at one of his ex-partners, which caused an injury to her scalp.
In 2021, he was arrested in Rio de Janeiro for leaving Argentina without authorization during a trial involving charges of assault, theft, and intimidation.
After being extradited to Argentina, he was convicted and sentenced to two years in prison for the initial assault case.
In 2022, he was sentenced to an additional two years and four months for a second assault conviction before being released in August 2023.
Cabrera’s Statement on His Return
Despite the controversy, Cabrera remains optimistic about his second chance at life.
He expressed that he has learned from his past mistakes and sees his return to the Masters as an opportunity to start anew.
“Life has given me another opportunity, I got to take advantage of that and I want to do the right things in this second opportunity,” Cabrera said.
This will be Cabrera’s first appearance at the Masters since 2019, and while some may argue that his past actions disqualify him from such an invitation, the decision ultimately rests on the legacy of his Masters victory and the policies of Augusta National.
Cabrera’s return to the course will certainly be a talking point for both golf fans and critics alike as the tournament unfolds.
