Angel Cabrera is due to make his first post-jail appearance at the Masters days after his first victory on the PGA Tour Champions circuit, and Adam Scott, one of his fellow champions, is absolutely delighted about it.
Cabrera, who lifted the 2009 Masters trophy, spent time in an Argentine jail for threats and harassment directed at two former partners – Cecilia Torres Mana and Micaela Escudero. He was released in August 2023, and later that year was allowed back into the over-50s PGA Tour Champions fray.
Now at the age of 55, Cabrera clinched the James Hardie Pro Football Hall of Fame Invitational, pocketing the $330,000 top reward, marking his first triumph in a decade.
In a heartfelt moment, Cabrera expressed his profound emotions: “Everything I’ve gone through the last few years, being here, having a chance to win, is very emotional,” he admitted. “And obviously, it was a hard battle out there. Right now, I want to enjoy this. The Masters I’m going to be walking hole by hole, but I want to enjoy this right now.”
The 2007 US Open champion, who narrowly missed a second Augusta title in a 2013 playoff, holds a lifetime exemption as a past champion and will step onto the famed Masters greens once more since his last appearance in 2019, regardless of objections from women’s rights groups.
Scott, himself a Masters winner in 2013, could hardly contain his enthusiasm: “I’m thrilled he’s going to be back joining us this year. I can’t wait to see him. It’s a happy thing for me.”
Cabrera’s ex-girlfriend Torres opened up about the harrowing experience, revealing how he “physically, psychologically, and sexually abused” her during their time together. In another shocking revelation, former partner Miss Escudero was subjected to an attack by the pro golfer which led to him being sentenced to two years and four months behind bars.
(Image: Getty Images)
In a 2023 Golf Digest interview, Cabrera took a step towards acknowledging his wrongdoings, saying, “I am repentant and embarrassed. I made serious mistakes. I refused to listen to anyone and did what I wanted, how I wanted and when I wanted. I wasn’t the devil, but I did bad things.”
Fred Ridley, the chief of Augusta National and the Masters tournament, has been upfront about Cabrera’s potential return to the major event following the resolution of his legal complications. He had confirmed in May last year that Cabrera would be welcomed back once his US visa issues were sorted out.
Speaking on Cabrera’s situation, Ridley remarked, “Angel certainly is one of our great champions,” adding, “As we all know, he has been unable to participate in the Masters the last couple of years due to legal issues. Presently we have been in constant contact with Angel’s representatives.”
Ridley further commented, “He presently is not able to enter the United States. He doesn’t have a visa and I know that process is being worked through. 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.”
- Source: NEWHD MEDIA
