PUNTA MITA, Mexico — Angel Cabrera is again in his component.
After spending 30 months in jail for home violence, the 55-year-old previous champion of the Masters and U.S. Open has returned to competing in skilled golf tournaments. He’s rejoined PGA Tour Champions and made 12 begins this season with a finest end of fourth on the SAS Championship in October. He even received a Legends Tour occasion in June, beating James Kingston 3 and 1 within the closing, marking his first skilled victory in 4 years.
Cabrera competed within the WCW Mexico Senior Open at Pacifico Golf Course, Nov. 15-17, alongside the southernmost level of the Riviera Nayarit, 30 miles northwest of the resort metropolis of Puerto Vallarta. After his second-round 73, Cabrera went straight to the vary to iron out a wrinkle in his swing earlier than kicking again at “The Deck” along with his novice companions and having fun with a late-afternoon nibble. As others washed their meals down with grownup drinks, Cabrera caught to water. Married once more and with a younger youngster, Cabrera has a lot to dwell for again in Cordoba, Argentina — he additionally maintains a longtime residence in Houston when he’s enjoying the Champions tour — and is making an attempt to dwell a greater life and make amends for the errors he’s made. He misplaced three years on the golf course however stated he “feels reborn” and nonetheless has ambitions of profitable senior majors.
Feeling higher about his sport and along with his urge for food quenched, Cabrera sat with Golfweek for an in-person interview and conversed in Spanish through an interpreter for this Q&A.
Angel Cabrera of Argentina in motion previous to the WCM Mexico Senior Open 2024 at Punta Mita Golf Membership. (Phil Inglis/Getty Photos)
AC: It’s bettering. The final month, I labored very onerous on my sport. So at this level, it’s bettering.
Angel Cabrera of Argentina throughout day 4 of the Senior Open Championship 2024 at Carnoustie Golf Hyperlinks. (Phil Inglis/Getty Photos)
AC: It was difficult. I didn’t know if I’d be given a second probability. I nonetheless wish to obtain many issues and I’m grateful to be enjoying once more.
Angel Cabrera of Argentina performs his shot from the eighth tee throughout the first spherical of the 2020 Ally Problem at Warwick Hills Golf & Nation Membership. (Rey Del Rio/Getty Photos)
AC: No, no. That’s up to now. I can’t do something about that now.
Angel Cabrera of Argentina throughout day three of the OFX Irish Legends 2024 at Seapoint Golf Hyperlinks . (Phil Inglis/Getty Photos)
AC: Rather a lot. I realized to dwell with out cash. I lived with out my cellphone. I perceive that life could be very primary and you’ll dwell with out something that you just assume you want, like a telephone or cash or something. So it was very, very useful to grasp that you just don’t want any (worldly possessions) to dwell.
AC: That was a really darkish chapter in my life and it gave me the chance to grasp that I used to be doing issues very incorrect and it was useful to grasp that. Now I is usually a good individual.
AC: Hardly nothing. Only a sip or two of wine. To be in jail was very useful to stop consuming.
Angel Cabrera of Argentina in motion throughout day 4 of the Paul Lawrie Match Play 2024 at Hanbury Manor Marriott Resort & Nation Membership . (Phil Inglis/Getty Photos)
AC: They have been very useful to recollect the nice instances. My mates who visited me offered quite a lot of magazines about golf, and it was very therapeutic as a result of I remembered quite a lot of issues and learn how to enhance the sport.
GWK: How a lot did you replay rounds in your thoughts to cross the time?
AC: No, no. I simply remembered the nice instances.
GWK: You didn’t replay profitable the Masters again and again?
AC: I all the time keep in mind the Masters pictures. I all the time keep in mind the Masters moments. They’re all the time with me.
Angel Cabrera of Argentina in motion throughout the first spherical of the Trophy Hassan II 2024 at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam. (Phil Inglis/Getty Photos)
AC: That was my punishment. I knew what I needed to do and I understood that in that second I couldn’t play golf however I all the time dreamed that I’d have an opportunity to return again to the golf.
AC: Sure, it was a part of the method that I needed to undergo and I really feel like I made quite a lot of progress.
Argentine golfer Angel Cabrera at a listening to as a part of his trial for “gender violence and theft” in Cordoba, Argentina on July 7, 2021. (Diego Lima/AFP through Getty Photos)
AC: I remorse quite a lot of issues. I used to be not in a great mindset throughout that point. I need the previous to be the previous.
GWK: Are you a greater man?
AC: I’ve a really darkish space however finally I’m a great man and I’ll all the time be a great man.
AC: It wasn’t so dramatic as a result of I knew that sooner or later I’d have fulfilled my sentence.
AC: I met her 5 years earlier than the three years I spent in jail. It was a longtime relationship.
GWK: Did you assume you’d be a father once more at this age?
AC: It’s unbelievable. However another youngster is sufficient.
AC: I used to be afraid that I’d not hit the ball like I used to. Charlie Epps introduced me some new Ping golf equipment and I used to be very excited to make use of them.
GWK: Your longtime coach Charlie Epps tells me he needs you to win the U.S. Senior. Is that your purpose too?
AC: I wish to win all the things that I play.
Angel Cabrera in motion throughout day 4 of the Paul Lawrie Match Play introduced by Petsure at Hanbury Manor Marriott Resort & Nation Membership in Ware, England. (Phil Inglis/Getty Photos)
AC: I felt like I used to be born once more. What I did was very egocentric of me.
GWK: How have your fellow professionals welcomed you again?
AC: Everybody within the golf, they’re my mates. All the blokes have been useful, they’re completely satisfied to see me again and made me really feel snug. Ernie Els and Gary Participant despatched me letters whereas I used to be in jail. That meant a lot to me.
Angel Cabrera walks on the second inexperienced throughout the first spherical of the 2019 Masters at Augusta Nationwide Golf Membership. (Andrew Redington/Getty Photos)
AC: Why not? What do you assume?
GWK: You’re a previous champion so I don’t see why not.
AC: Why do you ask me that query? If I can’t play, I can’t play. I’ve already received the Inexperienced Jacket.
AC: Win all the things that I can win.
GWK: Is there something your sport misplaced?
AC: Sure, the quick sport is a bit difficult proper now however it should come again.
