Golf chief gives disgraced champion Masters lifeline
Fred Ridley has provided an updated as to whether disgraced Masters champion Angel Cabrera will be able to compete at Augusta National this year.
Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley has confirmed disgraced 2009 champion Angel Cabrera will be welcome to return to this year's Masters providing the golfer can obtain a visa.
Cabrera has been denied entry to the U.S. after serving more than 30 months in prison for domestic violence offences relating to two ex-girlfriends.
The golfer is now married and is a father to a little boy.
When he was released last August he vowed to make his return to competitive golf.
"I did all this to myself," Cabrera - nicknamed El Pato (The Duck) because the way he walks - told Golf Digest in an extensive interview last December.
"But it's done. I can't erase how I acted. All I can do is move forward and do something different."
Cabrera, 54, has been given the all-clear to return to the PGA Tour Champions and is in the field for next month's event in Morocco over 22-24 February where he doesn't need a visa.
According to ESPN he has also entered a Korn Ferry Tour event the following week.
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Golfweek have also reported he has an invitation to play in the Insperity Invitational in Houston, Texas, later this year should he obtain a visa.
Ridley provided an update to reporters before the Latin America Amateur Championship in Panama.
"Presently we have been in constant contact with Angel's representatives," he said.
He added: "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 has three wins on the PGA Tour. Other than the Masters, he also claimed the 2007 U.S. Open.
His Masters victory came after he defeated Kenny Perry and Chad Campbell in a thrilling playoff.
Four years later, he lost to Adam Scott over extra holes.
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