The Masters: Angel Cabrera responds to comeback critics

Angel Cabrera says he “respects the opinion” of those who believe he shouldn’t be at The Masters, but insists he belongs at Augusta National as a past champion.

Cabrera is competing at the major for the first time in six years after his release from prison.

The 2009 champion was found guilty in 2021 of multiple charges, including assault, theft and intimidation against former girlfriends and served a 30-month custodial sentence in South American prisons.

All past champions receive lifetime exemptions to the major, but Cabrera was unable to take up his invite in 2024 because of visa issues.

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Cabrera, who won a PGA Tour Champions event on Sunday, spoke to reporters in the mixed zone after playing a practice round with the Venezuelan Jhonattan Vegas on Tuesday morning.

“I respect their opinion and everybody has their own opinion and I respect that,” he said, when asked what he’d say to people who think he shouldn’t be here.

“Life has given me another opportunity, I got to take advantage of that and I want to do the right things in this second opportunity.

“There was a stage in my life of five years, four, five years, that they weren’t the right things I should have done. Before that I was okay, so I just have to keep doing what I know I can do right.”

When asked if he feels like he belongs at Augusta, Cabrera’s answer was blunt.

“I won the Masters,” he said, “why not?”

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The Argentine was then asked about the reaction of his fellow players to his return. As it stands, no player has yet condemned Cabrera’s place in the field.

“I haven’t really seen anybody because it rained yesterday, I had to come register, I came early this morning. The only one I’ve always been in contact with is Gary Player.

“Since the situation I had, he’s always been in contact with me, always been by my side. So the only guy I talked to is Gary.”

Cabrera, who will will join Player and his fellow past winners at tonight’s Champions Dinner, was asked how he’ll feel putting on his Green Jacket again.

“Obviously joyfulness, and to put it on it’s going to feel great again.”

Ben Parsons is the Senior Writer at bunkered and is the man to come to for all of the latest news, across both the professional and amateur games. Formerly of The Mirror and Press Association, he is a member at Halifax Golf Club and is a long-suffering fan of both Manchester United and the Wales rugby team.