AUGUSTA, Ga. — Angel Cabrera mentioned he understands if there are individuals who do not assume he needs to be taking part in on this week’s Masters after he was imprisoned for assaulting and threatening two of his ex-girlfriends.
However Cabrera, the 2009 Masters champion, mentioned he deserves to be within the subject as a former winner of a inexperienced jacket who thus has a lifetime exemption into the match.
“I received the Masters, why not?” Cabrera mentioned by means of an interpreter Tuesday after taking part in a observe spherical at Augusta Nationwide Golf Membership.
Requested what he would say to individuals who assume he should not be taking part in within the Masters, Cabrera mentioned, “I respect their opinion, and all people has their very own opinion.”
Cabrera, 55, hasn’t performed within the Masters since lacking the minimize in 2019. He wished to play within the match final yr, however had visa issues and could not journey to the U.S.
Cabrera, from Argentina, was sentenced in July 2021 to 2 years in jail for threats and harassment of Cecilia Torres Mana, his companion between 2016 and 2018. In November 2022, he was additionally on trial for threats and harassment in opposition to Micaela Escudero, one other of his ex-girlfriends. After Cabrera pleaded responsible, the courtroom made the 2 sentences concurrent and gave him three years and 10 months in jail.
He was launched on parole in August 2023 and cleared to return to the PGA Tour Champions later that yr.
“There was a stage in my life of 4, 5 years, that they weren’t the correct issues I ought to have finished,” Cabrera mentioned. “Earlier than that I used to be OK, so I simply must hold doing what I do know I can do proper.”
In a prolonged interview with Golf Digest within the months after he was launched on parole, Cabrera mentioned he was embarrassed by his conduct and requested his former companions for forgiveness.
“I’m repentant and embarrassed,” Cabrera mentioned. “I made severe errors. I refused to hearken to anybody and did what I wished, how I wished and after I wished. That was incorrect. I ask Micaela for forgiveness. I ask Cecilia for forgiveness. That they had the unhealthy luck of crossing paths with me after I was at my worst. I wasn’t the satan, however I did unhealthy issues.”
Cabrera advised Golf Digest that he underwent therapy for alcohol habit, together with taking every day capsules to make him sick if he drinks. He mentioned he intends to remain sober for the rest of his life.
On Tuesday, Cabrera mentioned life has given him a second probability.
“I acquired to reap the benefits of that, and I need to do the correct issues on this second alternative,” he mentioned.
On Sunday, Cabrera captured the James Hardie Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame Invitational on the Previous Course at Damaged Sound Membership in Boca Raton, Florida, his first victory on the PGA Tour Champions circuit.
Cabrera attended the annual Champions Dinner at Augusta Nationwide Golf Membership on Tuesday night time.
Adam Scott, who defeated Cabrera in a playoff to win the 2013 Masters, mentioned he was wanting ahead to seeing him.
“I am unable to wait to see him,” Scott advised The Related Press on Sunday. “It is a comfortable factor for me. We have got a reasonably lengthy historical past. I first met him on the European Tour earlier than we each have been on the PGA Tour. We have performed Presidents Cups, we have been companions.”
The Related Press contributed to this report.
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