Disgraced two-time major champion set for Masters return in 2025

Former Masters champion Angel Cabrera will be able to officially make his long-awaited return to Augusta National in April 2025 having finally been granted a visa. 

Cabera, 54, returned to competitive senior action this year after serving more than two years behind bars for domestic violence charges. 

The Argentine was able to compete in the Trophy Hassan II on the PGA Tour Champions in February as a result of the tournament being held in Morocco. 

He performed admirably there with a T27, and has since finished T11 in a recent Legends Tour event in Barbados. 

Cabrera's visa expired in January 2024, and the delay, according to his long-time coach Charlie Epps, was a result of the American Embassay in Buenos Aires making him complete a series of psychological tests. 

According to Golfweek, the two-time major champion has now been granted his visa and that allows him to travel around the United States.

Cabrera is now also set on moving permanently to Houston, Texas, so that he can resume as close to a full schedule as possible on the PGA Tour Champions. 

"It should pave the way for his return [to The Masters] next year," Epps told Golfweek. 

All past champions of The Masters receive a lifetime exemption to compete in the season's first major of the year at famed Augusta National.

When pressed on whether Cabrera would be invited back to compete in The Masters as a result of his domestic violence charges, Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley confirmed earlier this year that he would be once he straightened out his legal issues.

“Angel certainly is one of our great champions,” said Ridley. 

"As we all know, he has been unable to participate in the Masters the last couple of years due to legal issues. Presently we have been in constant contact with Angel’s representatives. He presently is not able to enter the United States. He doesn’t have a visa, and I know that that process is being worked through.

"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.”

Cabrera is on the alternate list for the upcoming American Family Insurance Championship and Dick's Open on the PGA Tour Champions.

As a three-time winner of the PGA Tour, he is eligible to compete on the over 50s circuit. 

Cabrera, who landed his maiden major title at the 2007 US Open, will not be able to compete in the 2024 US Senior Open from 27-30 June, however, as he failed to file for entry in time.