Angel Cabrera spent over two years in prison on the back of assault charges, but the former Masters champion is now a free man and back competing on the major stage
Angel Cabrera is at the Senior PGA Championship(Image: Getty Images)
Angel Cabrera has opened up on his journey back into men’s professional golf after the former Masters champion spent 30 months in prison.
Cabrera, who returned to Augusta National for the first time last month since being convicted of assault, is back on the major stage this week at the Senior PGA Championship, where LIV Golf member Richard Bland is defending. For the Argentine, it has been quite the turnaround.
It appeared as if the Argentinian’s career was over after being sentenced in South America, but having been released in August 2023, Cabrera has been able to return to competition.
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Fresh off winning the opening senior major of the year at the Regions Tradition, he has his eyes on more success at Congressional Country Club in Maryland this week. At the halfway stage, he finds himself tied for 11th at three-under-par for the week, leaving him three shots off the top.
After carding a three-under 69 on day two, Cabrera faced the media and was quizzed on what he struggled with most when making a return after so long away. For the two-time major champion, it was finding his feet in and around the greens, something he was required to work hard on.
“The hardest part was probably the short game,” he replied. “But with a lot of practice, I was able to recover it fast.” His return has been a successful one, having won twice on the Champions Tour, banking the James Hardie Pro-Football Hall of Fame Invitational title last month alongside his victory last week.
Angel Cabrera won the Regions Tradition title(Image: Getty Images)
And while he always was more than aware he was able to compete, even Cabrera was surprised at just how quickly he became a winner again.
“When I came back, I came back with the idea that I’ve been there, I’ve been in contention in the tournaments, and playing as well as I could,” he explained.
“Obviously, I knew I could win, but I didn’t know it was going to happen so early, and the fact that I could win early in the season gives you a lot of impetus and momentum for winning the next tournament.”
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Next on the list will be adding win No. 3 of the season at Congressional.
He’s put himself in a strong position to do so, sitting within touching distance of the lead with 36 holes to play. Seemingly quietly confident, Cabrera said of his chances: “Last week I had a great week. I was hitting the ball really well, especially my drives. This week is only 36 holes, but I’m playing well. But this is golf; we’ll see what happens.”
As things stand, three players are tied at the top, with Vijay Singh, Y.E. Yang, and Cameron Percy all sitting at six-under.
Angel Cabrera is in contention at a major for the second straight week(Image: Mike Mulholland/Getty Images)
Cabrera is not the only big name in the chasing pack, with the likes of Padraig Harrington, Thomas Bjorn, Darren Clark and defending champion Bland all in a strong spot.
