From touching heaven to descending into hell. That’s the journey Ángel Cabrera has experienced, blending his professional and personal life. He made history in 2009 by becoming the first Latin American golfer to win the Masters at Augusta. But in recent years, everything changed for him. After receiving accusations of domestic violence and intimidation from his ex-wife, Silva Rivadero, and several ex-girlfriends, the Argentine spent 30 months in prison, a sentence he served in Argentina and Brazil.
Cabrera, statements
“I’m fine right now. But I regret everything I did wrong in the past. I’m also frustrated that I let very important years of my life go by. I made mistakes. It’s one of the worst things that can happen to a human being, not having freedom. The lack of freedom is really difficult, really hard. And, on the other hand, I can say that the most important thing I feel right now is the second chance, the opportunity to get back on track,” Cabrera recently expressed in an interview with the Daily Mail.
All these legal issues meant he was unable to compete in the Masters starting in 2019, his last appearance. Cabrera served his sentence in August 2023, but was unable to compete in the tournament he loves so much in 2024 due to visa issues. Now, in 2025, he will come full circle, the circle of his sporting redemption, as Cabrera is on the roster for the next Augusta (April 10-13).
“It’s the place every golfer wants to be,” Cabrera declared, also emphasizing his complete regret: “I’m sorry and ashamed. I made serious mistakes. I refused to listen to anyone and did what I wanted, how I wanted, and when I wanted. That was wrong. I apologize to Micaela. I apologize to Celia. They were unlucky enough to cross paths with me at my worst moment. I wasn’t the devil, but I did bad things.” Will he be up to the task upon his return to the course?
