Augusta, Ga. — Angel Cabrera’s controversy comes as the former champion returns to the Masters for the first time this week after serving a 30-month prison sentence on Friday after missing a cut at Augusta National Golf Club.
Argentina, 55, who was jailed for threats and harassment against two of his ex-girlfriends, held the tournament at 75, who was over 3, and returned 80 over 80 in the second round on Friday, sitting at 11 a week.
That led to Cabrera, who was released from prison in August 2023, was near the bottom of the starting field of 95 players in his 21st Masters start.
Augusta National exempts past champions from a lifetime master’s degree. Cabrera won in 2009 when a playoff victory over Kenny Perry and Chad Campbell made him the first winner in South America.
Cabrera missed the cut in her final Masters appearance in 2019, skipping the next two during the Covid-19 pandemic and was unable to play last year due to Visa issues.
However, the two-time major champion took part in the 2025 Masters in PEP with his step, which won his first victory on the PGA Champions Tour last week.
Cabrera’s presence in this week’s master’s degree has attracted criticism from women’s rights groups. Augusta National Chairman Fred Ridley defended the club’s decision at a pre-tournament press conference.
“Well, we certainly don’t like all types of domestic violence,” Ridley told reporters. “As pertaining to Angel, Angel has served the sentence set forth by the Argentine courts. He was a past champion and he was invited.”