‘Value of Trophies Questioned’: Women’s Groups Condemn Red Carpet Reception for Convicted Felon Angel Cabrera at Masters

The impending return of Angel Cabrera to the Masters next week has ignited outrage among women’s rights organisations and the broader sporting community, following his victory on the PGA Tour Champions this past Monday (AEST).

Cabrera, a prior champion of both the Masters and the US Open, was incarcerated due to threats and harassment towards two of his former partners. He was released on parole in August 2023 and has since been reinstated to compete on the PGA Tour Champions.

The 55-year-old Argentine, fondly called “Pato”, is set to make his comeback at the Masters, a tournament from which past champions receive lifetime exemptions. He arrives with the added weight of securing his first win in over a decade.

“Everything I’ve experienced over the last few years makes being here and having a chance to win incredibly emotional,” Cabrera remarked after his victory on Monday.

However, his return to Augusta has raised significant concerns regarding the appropriateness of such a comeback.

Cabrera, the 2007 US Open champion at Oakmont and a playoff victor at the 2009 Masters, received a two-year prison sentence in July 2021 for harassing and threatening Cecilia Torres Mana, his partner from 2016 to 2018.

In November 2022, he faced charges of similar nature involving Micaela Escudero, another ex-girlfriend. Cabrera pleaded guilty, and both sentences were served concurrently, resulting in a total of three years and 10 months in prison.

The outrage from women’s rights advocates has been palpable regarding his entrance into Augusta. Jamie Klingler, co-founder of the Reclaim These Streets initiative, voiced her frustration over Cabrera’s participation in golf’s premier event.

“It appears that as long as male athletes excel at their sport, we tend to overlook instances where these men have harmed women,” she stated in an interview with The Sun in the UK. “It’s as if the accolades they earn outweigh the lives of their victims.”

In a detailed discussion with Golf Digest shortly after his release on parole, Cabrera expressed his remorse regarding his actions and extended apologies to his former partners.

“I feel regret and embarrassment,” he admitted. “I made significant mistakes. I didn’t listen to anyone and acted solely on my own whims. That was wrong. I ask for forgiveness from Micaela and Celia. They encountered me during one of my lowest points. I wasn’t entirely evil, but I did wrong.”

His recent win secures Cabrera a spot on the 50-and-over tour until 2026, and he enters the Masters with a newfound sense of accomplishment.

“I’m looking forward to seeing him,” remarked Australian veteran Adam Scott on Sunday at Augusta National. “This is a positive for me. We share a long history, having first met on the European Tour before our time on the PGA Tour. We’ve partnered in Presidents Cups and beyond.”

Scott triumphed in the 2013 Masters, winning against Cabrera in a playoff.

“I’m delighted he will be joining us again this year,” he added.

Cabrera had previously only participated in two PGA Tour Champions events this year and entered this tournament at the last minute after Mark Hensby withdrew.

Tied with KJ Choi, Cabrera sank a birdie on the 17th hole to secure his victory, easily two-putting from 18 feet on the 18th as Choi stumbled with a double bogey.

For his victory, Cabrera earned $AUD550,000, marking his first triumph on the PGA Tour Champions.

In a recent interview with The Daily Mail, Cabrera reflected on his prison experience, describing it as one of the worst situations for a person, stripped of freedom.

“The absence of freedom is something extremely challenging,” he stated. “However, I can say that the most vital feeling I have now is the opportunity for a second chance and the chance to realign my life.”