PGA Tour major winner scoops £300k in first big victory since leaving prison
Former Masters and US Open champion Angel Cabrera won the Regions Tradition by one stroke to seal his first senior major on Monday. Two years ago, the two-time major champion was released from prison after serving a 30-month sentence in South America, stemming from charges of domestic violence against two former partners.
Argentinian Cabrera birdied two of his remaining three holes to post the lowest final round in the field with an eight-under 64, scoring victory over Jerry Kelly at the Greystone Golf and Country Club in Birmingham, Alabama, by one shot on -20. He took home just shy of £300,000 ($390,000) in prize money.
The victory marks Cabrera's second win in four starts this season on the PGA Champions Tour. 'To win a major is incredible, so I'm very proud,' Cabrera said.
'It brings a lot of thoughts into my mind. It was very hard, the stuff I went through, so there's a lot going on in my mind right now. It's hard to process.'
The 55-year-old was released from prison on parole in August 2023 and made a return to professional competition in Argentina in December of that year, making the cut in the Abierto del Litoral.
After obtaining a visa for travel to the United States, Cabrera resumed his career on the PGA Tour Champions in 2024, playing in 12 events and posting two top-10 finishes.
Eighteen months since his competitive return to the sport, the veteran has now notched two wins on the Champions Tour. He was also victorious at the James Hardie Pro Football Hall of Fame Invitational in Florida last month.
He then returned to the Masters for the first time since 2019, but missed the cut with rounds of 75 and 80. Months after returning to the PGA Tour Champions, the Argentine opened up to Golf Digest about his convictions.
"I am repentant and embarrassed," he said. "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."
His return to golf was marred with controversy. Co-founder of social justice organisation Reclaim These Streets, Jamie Klinger, said: 'It seems as long as male athletes can excel at hitting a ball, we excuse those same men hitting women".
Yet chairman of Augusta National Golf Club, Fred Ridley, claimed that that despite Cabrera's time served, his lifetime status as a former champion remained, and thus he was invited to compete.
'We certainly abhor domestic violence of any type,' Ridley said on the eve of this year's Masters. 'As it relates to Angel, Angel has served the sentence that was prescribed by the Argentine courts and he was a past champion, so he was invited.'
The PGA Tour Champions season continues next week with the Senior PGA Championship at the Congressional Country Club.
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