Past Champion Angel Cabrera Might Not Play in This Year’s Masters
Published 8:16 am Wednesday, January 17, 2024
- Angel Cabrera has been cleared to return to play on the PGA Tour Champions.
The Masters Tournament updated its invitation list via its website on Tuesday and Angel Cabrera’s name appears as a past champion who is not playing in the event.
Cabrera, the 2009 champion who was released from an Argentina jail on parole in August after serving two years for domestic violence and assault, has so far been unable to obtain a visa to return to the United States.
Augusta National did not comment on its field list that includes 19 past winners, including defending champion Jon Rahm. Augusta chairman Fred Ridley is expected to get questions about Cabrera’s status this week at the Latin America Amateur Championship, which is being played in Panama.
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Cabrera, 54, has a lifetime invitation to the tournament for his playoff victory over Kenny Perry and Chad Campbell. He also won the 2007 U.S. Open.
It is possible if he gets his travel issues resolved, Augusta National could then extend the invitation to one of its past champions. He would not be taking a spot from anyone in the field, which has no alternates.
The PGA Tour has cleared Cabrera to return to the PGA Tour Champions, where he would have conditional status.
Cabrera was in prison due to threats and harassment of Cecilia Torres Mana, his partner of two years. Another former partner, Micaele Escudero, was added to the case.
In a Golf Digest interview last month, Cabrera said “I made serious mistakes” and asked for forgiveness from his previous partners.
“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,” he said. “Golf gave me everything, and I know I will never be able to repay the debt I owe this sport.”
To date, the Masters has 79 players qualified for its tournament, which is April 11-14. That will increase by at least one this weekend when the winner of the Latin America Amateur Championship is offered a spot in the field.
Last weekend’s winner of the Sony Open, Grayson Murray, was the most recent to qualify.
Players can still earn a spot by winning a PGA Tour event with full FedEx Cup points through the Valero Texas Open as well as being among the top 50 players in the Official World Golf Ranking as of April 1.