Dark truth behind Masters dinner photo as Angel Cabrera’s exile ends
It may look like an innocent image, but one of the most iconic occasions in world sport has been overshadowed by one man’s return.
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The Masters is a special time of year in the golf world but this year’s tournament will be extra poignant for a former champion making his first appearance at Augusta National since 2019.
Angel Cabrera is a two-time major winner who won the Masters in 2009 and the US Open in 2007.
He nearly won a second green jacket in 2013 only to be pipped by Australia’s own Adam Scott, who won a two-hole playoff over Cabrera to become the first, and still the only, Aussie to ever win the Masters.
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But Cabrera’s golf career came to a halt when he was convicted in Argentina in 2021 and sentenced to two years in prison on domestic violence charges.
He was convicted of assaulting and stealing the mobile phone of former partner Cecilia Torres in the first criminal case.
A second conviction was for assaulting another former partner named Micaela Escudero.
The golfing world was shocked when it was announced in January 2021 he had been arrested in Brazil by Interpol, after fleeing his native Argentina to avoid standing trial on the abuse charges, as well as offences of theft and intimidation.
He remained in a Brazilian prison until his extradition order to Argentina was completed, and in July 2021 he was convicted and sentenced to two years in jail.
He was released from prison in July 2023 after 30 months behind bars and was approved to play PGA Tour sanctioned events.
Cabrera fathered a baby boy with Yamila Alvarez while imprisoned and the couple married two months after his release from jail last October.
Last week Cabrera won the PGA Tour Champions James Hardie Pro Football Hall of Fame Invitational, marking his first tournament win in America since 2014 as he picked up around A$500,000 in prize money.
As a former champion, Cabrera will compete in the Masters starting on Thursday this week but his appearance is shrouded in controversy amid debate over whether or not the 55-year-old should have been invited back to play.
In 2023, Cabrera begged his former partners for forgiveness, telling Golf Digest: “I refused to listen to anyone and did what I wanted, how I wanted and when I wanted.
“That was wrong. I ask Micaela for forgiveness. I ask Celia for forgiveness. They had the bad luck of being with me when I was at my worst. I wasn’t the devil, but I did bad things.
“I am deeply embarrassed because I disappointed the people closest to me and everyone who loves me through golf. Golf gave me everything and I know I will never be able to repay the debt I owe this sport.”
Cabrera has also spoken about his experience in prison, sleeping on cement, has shaped him.
“It is one of the worst things that can happen to a human being, not being able to have freedom. The lack of freedom is something really difficult, really hard,” he said.
“There was not much walking or moving or anything like that. I was sleeping in some pieces of cloth on a bed that was basically cement.”
The Masters have quashed any concerns about Cabrera’s return and the Argentinian was spotted at the prestigious Champions Dinner on Wednesday (AEST) where all living former champions are invited.
Cabrera stood alongside the likes of Scott, Phil Mickelson, Jack Nicklaus and Nick Faldo as the past winners posed for a photo at the dinner wearing their green jackets.
As is tradition, last year’s champion Scottie Scheffler chose the menu for the Champions Dinner, and the World No. 1 asked for cheeseburger sliders, Texas-style Chili, along with a main course of ribeye or blackened redfish.
The dinner has been a Masters tradition dating back to 1937 — 88 years ago.
The notable absentee from this year’s occasion was Tiger Woods.
According to reports, Woods skipped the event to continue his recovery from injuries.
Among other former Masters champions, 2000 winner Vijay Singh has pulled out with injury and two-time winner Bernhard Langer will suit up for a 41st and final time at the Masters
Twenty years on from his famous chip-in at the 2005 Masters, Tiger Woods won’t be competing as he recovers from an Achilles injury he suffered earlier this year.
Aussies in action at The Masters
Min Woo Lee, Adam Scott, Jason Day, Cameron Smith and Cameron Davis are the five Australians competing at the Masters this year.
Lee is in strong form having won the Houston Open last month, while Smith’s team is fresh off a win at the LIV Miami event on the weekend.
McIlroy out to break 11-year drought
With each passing year, Rory McIlroy returns to August in search of the one major victory that has eluded him throughout his career.
A brutal final round collapse in 2011 saw the Northern Irishman miss out on his best chance at a green jacket.
World No. 1 Scheffler is the odds-on favourite to win the Masters for a third time, while McIlroy is the second favourite with the bookies.
McIlroy will be desperate to win a major in 2025 and end an 11-year drought stretching back to his win at the Open Championship at Royal Liverpool in 2014.
If he doesn’t claim a major this year, the gap since his last major victory will be longer than the gap between Tiger Woods’ 14th major win at the 2008 US Open and his stirring win at the 2019 Masters.
BROADCAST DETAILS (all times AEST)
This year marks the first time that all four major golf tournaments will be broadcast live and exclusive on Fox Sports, available on Kayo Sports and Foxtel.
The Masters coverage will feature Fox Sports Australia’s Warren Smith and former PGA Tour player Paul Gow, who will be on-location at Augusta National to deliver insights and analysis.
Outside of coverage of all four rounds, the Masters offering will also feature a 4K UHD feed from Amen Corner in its entirety, as well as separate feeds for the 15th and 16th holes and featured groups at certain times.
Masters Week coverage will begin from April 7.
Main Broadcast
Thursday 10 April: Par 3 Contest — 0400 - 0700
Friday 11 April: Round 1 — 0500 - 0930
Saturday 12 April: Round 2 — 0500 - 0930
Sunday 13 April: Round 3 — 0200 - 0900
Monday 14 April: Final Round — 0200 - 0900
Live From The Masters
Tuesday 8 April: 0400 - 0700
Tuesday 8 April: 0900 - 1100
Wednesday 9 April: 0900 - 1100
Thursday 10 April: 0800 - 1100
Friday 11 April: 0930 - 1130
Saturday 12 April: 0930 - 1130
Sunday 13 April: 0900 - 1100
Monday 14 April: 0900 - 1100
Amen Corner (also available in UHD)
Friday 11 April: Round 1 — 0045 - 0800
Saturday 12 April: Round 2 — 0045 - 0800
Sunday 13 April: Round 3 — 0145-0800
Monday 14 April: Final Round — 0145 - 0800
Originally published as Dark truth behind Masters dinner photo as Angel Cabrera’s exile ends
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