Golf fans tear into Masters news: "That is going to be some seriously bad PR"
Former Masters champion Angel Cabrera has reportedly confirmed that he will return to Augusta National for the first time since serving prison time for domestic abuse charges.
Disgraced former Masters champion Angel Cabrera will return to Augusta National next month after serving a prison sentence for domestic abuse.
Golfweek were the first to confirm that Cabrera, now 54, has decided to play in the first major of 2025.
Cabrera - who won the green jacket in 2009 - was convicted and sentenced to two years in prison in July 2021.
The golfer, nicknamed El Pato (The Duck) because of the way he walks, was convicted of a second assault in November 2022.
He was incarcerated at the notorious Carcel de Bouwer - which has been dubbed ‘El Penal del Infierno’ (the Prison from Hell).
Cabrera was released from prison last August and initially faced difficulty obtaining a visa to allow him to compete on the senior US circuit.
But he was ultimately given the green light and has already played multiple events on the PGA Tour Champions.
Golfweek claim Ben Crenshaw let it slip that Cabrera had decided to return to Georgia.
"I'm looking forward to seeing him," Crenshaw said.
His decision has already been met with a mixed response, with some golf fans suggesting that it will bring unwelcome attention to The Masters.
"That is going to be some seriously bad PR," one said.
Another added: "I hope he gets heckled off the course. The guy should be six feet under for his crimes against women."
What have Augusta National said about this?
Initially, Masters chiefs refused to comment or speculate about Cabrera's return before he obtained a visa.
Then chairman Fred Ridley spoke about the situation at an amateur event in Panama.
"Angel certainly is one of our great champions," he said.
"As we all know, he has been unable to participate in the Masters the last couple of years due to legal issues
"We'll definitely welcome him back if he's able to straighten out those legal issues."
Cabrera last played The Masters in 2019.
He was arrested in Rio de Janeiro in early 2021 after leaving Argentina without permission and brought back after he was placed on Interpol's Red Notice list.
Cabrera has only given one proper interview since his release to Golf Digest.
He expressed remorse for behaving appallingly towards his former partners Cecilia Torres Mana and Micaela Escudero.
Cabrera is now married to Yamila Alvarez. Their son was born three years ago.
Ben joined the GolfMagic team in September 2021, initially as a content executive.
These days, he assumes the position of content manager.
