Ángel Cabrera is now authorised to return to play in the PGA Tour circuits, therefore he will be able to compete from 2024 in the American Senior Circuit and also return to Augusta National, where he was crowned champion of the Masters in 2009, after serving his two and a half year prison sentence, in three different prisons (one in Brazil, where he was arrested, and two in Argentina, for gender violence against several of his ex-partners.
However, the PGA Tour clarified in the letter it sent to the also winner of the 2007 US Open that if Pato Cabrera’s legal situation were to worsen again, he will be suspended again. The 54-year-old player had already announced a few days ago that he could compete in the Senior Circuit of the DP World Tour.
Andy Levinson, senior vice president of the American Circuit, notified Cabrera yesterday, Monday 18th of December, that his punishment had been lifted with immediate effect. “Failure to comply with the terms of his release from prison or any additional information about his legal situation in Argentina may result in the immediate reinstatement of his suspension,” Levinson wrote.
Cabrera was convicted in July 2021 in an Argentine court for assaulting, threatening and harassing Cecilia Torres Maná, who was his partner between 2016 and 2018. He was arrested in Rio de Janeiro in January of that year accused of assault, theft, illegal intimidation and repeated disrespect to authorities and had been on the “red code” list of Interpol, which is used to seek the location and arrest of a person wanted by a legal jurisdiction or an international court with a view to their extradition. Pato had been sought by the authorities for another case in Argentina involving assault allegations filed by Torres Maná, and the complaint was joined by Cabrera’s ex-wife, Silva Rivadero, and another ex-partner, Micaela Escudero.
The PGA Tour suspended Cabrera after his conviction. However, he left prison last August and competed in the Litoral Open in his country, where he finished tenth, last week in his first professional tournament since he was released from behind bars.
Cabrera is considered the best golfer born in Argentina, winning not only the 2007 United States Open at Oakmont and the 2009 Masters, but also being runner-up at Augusta National in 2013, losing to Adam Scott in a playoff, and having obtained 52 victories worldwide and four appearances in the Presidents Cup. He made nine appearances in the PGA Tour Champions in 2020 and his last tournament was in September at the Pure Insurance Championship.
“My dream is to return to Augusta National and walk the course that gave me so much joy and satisfaction,” he said in a recent interview. “It would be a great privilege to return and attend the Champions Dinner with so many of the world’s best golf players.” His prayers will be answered next April.
