Angel Cabrera cleared to return to PGA Tour after prison

Two-time main champion Angel Cabrera, launched on parole from an Argentine jail in August for gender violence, has been cleared to play in PGA Tour-sanctioned occasions.

With out confirming Cabrera was ever suspended — the PGA Tour doesn’t publicize conduct violations — a tour spokesperson confirmed the 54-year-old from Argentina is eligible to play.

Cabrera, who gained the U.S. Open at Oakmont in 2007 and the Masters in a playoff in 2009, was imprisoned for 2 years for assaulting, threatening and harassing Cecilia Torres Mana, his accomplice of two years. Her case was joined by that of one other former accomplice, Micaela Escudero.

In a lengthy interview with Golf Digest printed within the December-January version, Cabrera mentioned he was embarrassed by his habits and mentioned, “I made critical errors.”

“I refused to hearken to anybody and did what I wished, how I wished and once I wished,” Cabrera mentioned. “That was fallacious. I ask Micaela for forgiveness. I ask Celia for forgiveness. That they had the dangerous luck of being with me once I was at my worst. I wasn’t the satan, however I did dangerous issues.

“I’m deeply embarrassed as a result of I disenchanted the folks closest to me — and everybody who loves me by way of golf,” he mentioned. “Golf gave me all the things, and I do know I’ll by no means be capable to repay the debt I owe this sport.”

Golf Digest mentioned Cabrera was present process remedy for alcohol habit, together with taking every day remedy that causes illness if he drinks. His longtime coach, Charlie Epps, mentioned Cabrera was taking alcohol training programs for six hours every week.

Within the interview, the 54-year-old Cabrera mentioned he was making an attempt to finish courses to graduate the sixth grade and had two months left when he was launched on parole.

Epps mentioned he requested Ping if it might provide Cabrera with a brand new set of golf golf equipment, which the coach took all the way down to Argentina upon the discharge.

Cabrera performed a event in Rosario, Argentina, final week and tied for tenth.

Augusta Nationwide didn’t instantly reply to a request for touch upon whether or not he could be invited to the Masters, the place champions have a lifetime exemption.

Golf Digest obtained a letter from the tour notifying Cabrera that his suspension was lifted efficient Monday and that “failure to adjust to the phrases of your launch from jail or any further data concerning your authorized state of affairs in Argentina could outcome within the instant reinstatement of your suspension.”

Cabrera has seven wins on principal excursions around the globe, his final one on the Greenbrier Traditional in 2014. He’s finest identified for holding off Tiger Woods and Jim Furyk to win at Oakmont for his first main, and for his shot out of the bushes on the 18th gap that led to a playoff win on the Masters over Kenny Perry and Chad Campbell.

Cabrera was amongst inmates granted two-hour visits with companions each 15 days due to good habits. Yamila Alvarez, his accomplice of 4 years, gave delivery to a son in November 2022. They married in October after Cabrera received out of jail.

Cabrera mentioned within the Golf Digest interview that being on the golf course once more “felt like a rebirth” and that his hope is to return to the Masters.

“Golf is all the things to me,” he mentioned. “It is my life. I’ve to proceed.”