Masters champion denied Augusta comeback after prison sentence
Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm are set to compete in the 2024 Masters.
One former Masters champion isn't allowed and has been barred from a return trip to Augusta National Golf Course, despite having three PGA Tour wins and capturing the famous green jacket in 2009.
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Angel Cabrera cannot compete at this year's Masters after being denied a United States visa, according to multiple reports.
Cabrera, 54, is from Argentina and turned pro in 1989.
He has more than $14 million in career golf earnings and has two major championships, including The Open in 2007.
But Cabrera had his American visa temporarily declined after being sentenced in July 2021 to two years in an Argentina prison in for threats and harassment of his ex-partner.
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Cabrera told after his release from jail that his Masters memories helped get him through his time in prison.
"I was alone in my cell most of the time because my cellmate worked all day," Cabrera said. "During my last six months at Bouwer, I was completely alone because he got released and no one replaced him.
"I thought a lot about tournaments I played in, especially when I read about myself in the magazines. The older ones had photos of me playing in the US Open and the Masters, as well as in the Presidents Cup, which I played in four times.
"I’d get nostalgic, but it helped me pass the time. I remember nearly every stroke of that Sunday I won the Masters and would replay it in my mind: the playoff, the famous shot I made through the trees. "
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Cabrera is allowed at Augusta by the club but has been denied entry to the US.
The Masters is set for April 11-14 in Georgia.
Cabrera eventually hopes to return to the course that he won in 2009.
"It’s my dream to return to that prestigious place and walk the course that gave me so much joy and satisfaction," he said. "I played at Augusta for almost 20 years in a row. It’s like a second home to me.
"It would be a great privilege to return and to attend the Champions Dinner with so many of the golf world’s greatest players."
Augusta National Chairman Fred Ridley said that Cabrera would be welcomed back at The Masters once his visa issues are cleared.
"Angel certainly is one of our great champions," Ridley . "As we all know, he has been unable to participate in the Masters the last couple of years due to legal issues.
"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."
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