Angel Cabrera’s presence at the 2025 edition of the Masters Tournament has been as polarizing as expected. The winner of the event is returning to Augusta National for the first time after spending 30 months behind bars, which is always a source of controversy.
However, the tournament organizers have been clear about their position on the matter. If there was any doubt after the invitation was made official, Augusta National Chairman Fred Ridley cleared it up during his pre-event press conference.
“Well, we certainly abhor domestic violence of any type,” Ridley said. “As it relates to Angel, Angel has served the sentence that was prescribed by the Argentine courts, and he is the past champion, and so he was invited.”
Angel Cabrera of Argentina leaves the eighth hole during a practice round prior to the 2025 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 08, 2025 in Augusta, Georgia. Angel Cabrera of Argentina leaves the eighth hole during a practice round prior to the 2025 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 08, 2025 in Augusta, Georgia. Harry How/Getty Images
Ridley’s comments only confirmed how organizers plan to deal with Cabrera, at least for the foreseeable future.
A year ago, shortly after the 2007 US Open champion’s release, Augusta National’s chairman confirmed that he would be welcome to play in the event, as long as he complied with legal requirements.
“Presently we have been in constant contrast with Angel’s representatives,” Ridley said a year ago, according to Fox Sports. “He presently is not able to enter the United States. He doesn’t have a visa and I know that 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.”
That view is certainly not unanimous. Women’s rights groups have made their feelings known about Cabrera being allowed back into the Masters Tournament.
Jamie Klingler, co-founder of Reclaim These Streets, and Lisa Longstaff, spokeswoman for Women Against Rape, spoke to The Sun about the issue:
“It seems as long as male athletes can excel at hitting a ball, we excuse those same men hitting women,” Klingler said. “Because the trophies they win are valued more than his victim’s life.”
“You have to ask how could he get into the US with a criminal conviction? That would prove once again that abusers are welcome,” Longstaff added. “It’s good that a court convicted him but the public should boycott Angel Cabrera and businesses that promote him.”
Angel Cabrera was convicted by a court in his native Argentina, which found him guilty of various crimes, including several related to domestic violence. While still under investigation, Cabrera left the country in violation of the court order and was later captured with the help of Interpol.
He was released in August 2023. Since then, the three-time PGA Tour winner has resumed his professional golf career, including membership on the PGA Tour Champions. Just last week, he won that circuit’s James Hardie Pro-Football Hall of Fame Invitational.
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