Just a week before the Masters, former convict and Masters Champion Angel Cabrera is making everyone stop and notice. The Argentine golfer clinched the James Hardie Pro Football Hall of Fame Invitational title in stunning fashion. Cabrera scored 11 under par to claim the victory over second-placed KJ Choi by two strokes.

This is Cabrera’s third start on the PGA Tour Champions circuit this season. He had played in both the Hassan II Trophy and the Chubb Classic in February, and he had registered finishes of T19 and T51, respectively. A well-fought win right before the Masters will be a positive sign for the Argentine. Cabrera is one of the many former Champions who are eligible to play at the Augusta National Golf Course. This is due to his excellent victory at the 2009 edition. His first PGA Tour Champions victory is going to provide him with all the momentum he needs as he gets into preparation mode for the Masters

“Everything I’ve gone through the last few years, being here, having a chance to win, is very emotional,” Cabrera stated after his victory. This is a landmark moment for the Argentine, as just merely 20 months before, he was in prison after he was convicted for threatening and intimidating two of his ex-girlfriends. He was released on parole in 2023 and was cleared by the PGA Tour to take part in Tour-sanctioned events like the Champions Tour just 4 months later.

Despite this being his 15 start on the Tour between 2024 and 2025, Fans were not very happy with the Argentine being allowed to come back on the Tour.

Fans not happy with Cabrera’s participation

One fan made his thoughts clear underneath the PGA Tour Champions’ X post, replying, “ The guy shouldn’t be back on [tour] and shouldn’t be allowed in the masters again a wife beater is a cowardly act.” Although his actions are inexcusable, Caberera said that he is remorseful of the past few years, “Right now I am fine. But I regret everything that I have done wrongly in my past,”. Additionally, he stated, “I am also frustrated that I dumped very, very important years of my life. I made mistakes.”
Cabrera has been active on the Champions Tour since last year. However, the victory right before the Masters, where he is scheduled to play, puts a lot of limelight on himself and his past actions. Many fans were miffed at the thought of the Argentine getting to compete despite his misdemeanors. A fan exclaimed, “Dang. Fresh from prison.”

Another fan kept it simple. Domestic abuse is no simple matter, and for that reason, Cabrera “Shouldn’t be allowed to play,” according to the fan. One fan was curious as to how the Argentine golfer managed to come to the United States, considering his criminal record in Argentina. The James Hardie Invitational took place in Florida, and the upcoming Masters takes place in Georgia.“How does he get entry to the US with that criminal record?” The fan asked.

One fan brought a bit of humor to the mix when he drew a comparison to Scottie Scheffler being arrested before the second round of the 2024 PGA Championship. Scheffler was charged with felony assault for dragging a police officer and was arrested and kept in prison for some time. He did, however, manage to make his tee time at Valhalla. “Joins Scottie as someone who went from prison to champions.”, the fan stated on X.

Do you think Cabrera’s participation in the upcoming Masters is justified? Or do you think he should be given a second chance?