Ángel Cabrera Faces Controversy in Challenging Return to Masters

Ángel Cabrera, the former Masters champion, made an appearance to the lofty major for the first time since 2019. His recent past made him the target of serious blowback. Cabrera, who was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison for felony domestic abuse, like many other fathers, was released in August 2023. His participation in the 2025 Masters has opened him up to stinging backlash from women’s rights groups. They are worried about his pattern of threats and harassment of two ex-girlfriends.

Since Cabrera is a previous champion he automatically qualified for an invitation from the Masters. In fact, he won that same tournament in 2009 and 2010. In 2025, he surged back amazingly. Only a week before the Masters, he logged his first victory on the PGA Champions Tour. His first win since being released. Notably, his performance at Augusta National fell way short.

In his first round of the definite-host 2025 Masters, Cabrera shot a 3-over-par 75. The second round was even tougher, as he carded an 8-over 80, missing the cut by a wide margin. This frustrating result did nothing to quell the criticism that had already begun swirling around his involvement in the tournament.

Cabrera’s appearance at the Masters this week will be his first since 2019. He sat out the tournaments of 2020 and 2021 due to the complications of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2024, he was barred from competing in the Masters because of visa complications.

The uproar over Cabrera’s return has opened a much-needed conversation within golf’s inner circle. Fred Ridley, Chairman of Augusta National Golf Club, addressed the issue, stating, “Well, we certainly abhor domestic violence of any type.” This statement captures the larger worries about having Cabrera show up at an event of this magnitude.

Having contested 21 Masters events over the course of his career, Cabrera’s return is equally welcome and controversial. As he continues to navigate his post-prison life and career, the implications of his past actions remain a focal point for many observers in the sport.