Ángel Cabrera has returned with strength. Scottie Scheffler is not the only Major winner this week. At 55 years old and after more than two years out of the circuit due to being in prison, the Argentine golfer has been crowned champion of the Regions Tradition, the first Major of the season on the PGA Tour Champions. This is his second title in his last four appearances on the senior circuit.
The former Masters and US Open champion won with a final card of 64 strokes, for a total of twenty under par over the 72 holes played at Greystone Golf & Country Club. His third Major, the first with the seniors.
He won by one stroke over Jerry Kelly (-19), who was leading on Saturday after the third round. The final round finished this Monday due to strong storms that prevented the tournament from concluding on Sunday. At the time of suspension, Cabrera and Kelly were tied with four holes to play. The Argentine, playing a group ahead, showed composure and experience to make birdies on two of the last three holes. Kelly, on the other hand, made a bogey on the 17th and needed an eagle on the par 5 of the 18th to force a playoff. His attempt came up less than a metre from the hole, thus sealing Cabrera’s victory.
“To tell the truth, starting again this morning, I was very nervous,” admitted Cabrera, visibly emotional. “But I needed to stay calm and trust myself. Everything I went through was very tough, so there are many things going through my mind right now. It’s hard to process.”
The triumph has a special symbolic value. Cabrera was imprisoned for 30 months between Brazil and Argentina for domestic violence cases. Before his sentence, he had played 11 senior circuit events between 2019 and 2020. After serving his sentence, he returned to the circuit in 2024 with limited access, playing 12 tournaments and achieving two top 10s.
In December, he finished ninth in the PGA Tour Champions qualifying tournament, which secured him full status for the 2025 season. In April, he had already shown signs of his recovery by winning the James Hardie Pro Football Hall of Fame Invitational. Now, with this major in his showcase, Cabrera confirms that his return is no coincidence.
“Winning a major is incredible, so I am very proud. I played very well all week. I had to trust myself and keep going, and it was worth it,” concluded the Argentine, who with this victory once again writes his name among the protagonists of world senior golf.
Although his return has generated mixed opinions due to his judicial history, his performance on the field is beyond doubt. Time will tell if Cabrera can continue building a new chapter in his sporting career and personal life.
