Augusta, Ga. (AP) – It’s been six long years that Angel Cabrera walked Verdants Green Fairways of the Masters.
Two were spent in a gray Argentine prison cell.
Once celebrated with a parade in the streets of Cordoba for his triumph of the United States in 2007, and again celebrated for his victory at Augusta National two years later, Cabrera found himself watching the prosecutors in July 2021. The man known as “El Pato”, or “The Duck”, for his beating approach had been accused of making threats against one of his former partners.
Cabrera was finally sentenced to prison and, a year later, pleaded guilty when another ex-girlfriend presented similar allegations. The court pronounced the two simultaneous penalties, but the result was still three years and 10 months behind bars.
He was Speech In August 2023 and authorized to return to the PGA Tour champions later that year.
Now, after Win the invitation from the Professional Football Temple Sunday, the 55 -year -old Cabrera is Back to mastersWhere President Fred Ridley said that his life status as a former champion had remained intact.
“We certainly disturb domestic violence of any type,” said Ridley on the eve of the tournament on Wednesday. “Regarding Angel, Angel served the sentence prescribed by the Argentinian courts and he was a former champion, he was therefore invited.”
Cabrera spent 15 minutes to speak with a small group of journalists on Tuesday, under the majestic oak which serves as a popular meeting point near the Augusta national clubhouse. He was honest but succinct. He was contrite. He recognized the mistakes he had made and said he was back with feelings of hope and gratitude.
“Life gave me another opportunity. I was able to take advantage of it,” said Cabrera, speaking in Spanish. “There was a scene in my five -year life – four, five years – that they were not the right things I should have done. Before that, I was fine.
“So I have to continue doing what I know I can do well.”
This includes the shot of a golf ball.
After being conditional, and before Cabrera could obtain his visa to travel outside Argentina, his long -standing coach, Charlie Epps, brought him a set of clubs to start practicing again. There was a little rust, but the swing did not feel very different from what he had had a few years earlier, when Cabrera did the cup in the championship of senior players.
“I started to train a lot, to get in shape,” said Cabrera. “I don’t know if my game is the back technically.”
It was good enough to win Sunday. Cabrera was tied with KJ Choi at a PGA Tour champions event in which he did only at the last minute when Mark Hensby withdrew, until a birdie on the 17th hole. Cabrera found the 18th green in complete safety, two strokes of 18 feet for the peer, and he was able to celebrate a victory that seemed a decade in preparation.
Or maybe longer during these long nights in prison.
“Obviously, I regret things that have happened and you learn from them,” said Cabrera, “but at the same time, these are in the past and we have to expect what is coming.”
Who understood Champions dinner on Tuesday eveningWhen Cabrera was able to join a collection of previous winners again to celebrate and remember. Scottie Scheffler, as a defending champion, chose the menu, and Cabrera was looking forward to the chance to catch up with old friends like Gary Player, who has become one of his biggest supporters.
“I can’t wait to see him,” said Adam Scott, who beat Cabrera in the playoffs to win the Masters 2013. “It’s a happy thing for me. We have a fairly long story. I met him for the first time on the European tour before we are both on the PGA Tour. We played in the chairings of the presidents, we were partners. I am delighted that he will not come back to us this year. ”
Cabrera, who participated in The competition by 3 Wednesday And was mainly applauded by customers in this picturesque corner of the property, understands if there are some that feel differently. Not everyone is predisposed to forgive and forget.
“Everyone has their own opinion,” he said, “and I respect this.”
But Cabrera is also firm in his conviction that he still belongs to Augusta National.
“I won the masters,” he said. “Why not?”
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