Angel Cabrera will be released from prison in August 2023. A few months later, the PGA Tour reinstated Cabrera, with the former Masters champion looking to return to the field at Augusta National.
There's only one thing standing in his way to return to his land: a visa.Augusta National Golf Club Chairman Fred Ridley explained the situation At the press conference for the Latin American Amateur Championship held in Panama.
“Angel is definitely one of our great champions,” Ridley said. “He has not been able to participate in the Masters in recent years due to legal issues. We are in constant contact with Angel representatives.”
“He is currently unable to enter the United States. He does not have a visa, but I know that process is underway. We wish him the best and if he is legally If we can resolve the issue, we will welcome him back.”
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Whether Cabrera has earned the privilege of playing in such a prestigious tournament is an entirely different discussion.
Cabrera was convicted of sexual assault against two former partners and served 30 months in prisons in Brazil and Argentina.
The 54-year-old has continued to play golf professionally since his release. Cabrera finished T10 at the annual Abierto del Litoral (Coast Open) in Argentina.
He last played in the Masters in 2019. His visa expires this month, and reports say he is trying to regain access to the United States and other countries that require a visa.
His manager Manuel Tagle explained in a letter to Golfweek that they are in the middle of that process.
“While it would be a dream to compete in the Masters again, securing a visa so he can resume his professional career is Angel's top priority at this time,” Tuggle said. “We are working to get an appointment with the U.S. Embassy in Argentina. His visa expires in January 2024, so it will probably be early March.”
Although he may not be able to enter the United States, Cabrera is scheduled to return to the Champions Tour at the end of February. He will be competing in the Hassan II Trophy at the Royal Golf Dar es Salaam in Rabat, Morocco. No visa is required to visit North Africa.
Savannah Lee Richardson is a golf staff writer for SB Nation's Playing Through.If you want to know more about golf, please follow us. @_PlayingThrough On all major social platforms. You can also follow her on Twitter @SportsGirls and Instagram @savannah_leigh_sports.
