Angel Cabrera welcome at Masters if he can obtain visa

The Masters is open to having Angel Cabrera return to Augusta National Golf Club after recent legal issues have kept him out of the traditional first major of the year in recent seasons.

Cabrera, the 2009 Masters champion, has been denied a visa after a pair of what have been termed "gender violence cases," according to Golfweek. Cabrera, a native of Argentina, served 30 months in prison for alleged assaults on two former girlfriends.

Cabrera also faced theft and illegal intimidation charges after he was arrested in Brazil in January 2021. He was released from custody in August.

Cabrera, 54, is set to play in a PGA Champions event at Morocco from Feb. 22-24. He also is entered in a Korn Ferry Tour event at Argentina one week later. Golfweek also has reported that Cabrera has an invitation to play at the Insperity Invitational at Houston in May.

But his appearances at Houston and at Augusta still are contingent on acquiring a visa. He has not played at The Masters in the previous four years.

"Presently we have been in constant contact with Angel's representatives," Augusta National Golf Club chairman Fred Ridley said, according to Golfweek. "... He doesn't have a visa, and I know that that process is being worked through. We certainly wish him the best of luck with that, and we'll definitely welcome him back if he's able to straighten out those legal issues."

Cabrera has three career wins on the PGA Tour, including the 2007 U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club at Oakmont, Pa. He lost the 2013 Masters in a playoff against Adam Scott and also has two wins on the European Tour.