Winning again, prison life, remembering his Masters win

PUNTA MITA, Mexico — Angel Cabrera is back in his element.

After spending 30 months in prison for domestic violence, the 55-year-old past champion of the Masters and U.S. Open has returned to competing in professional golf tournaments. He’s rejoined PGA Tour Champions and made 12 starts this season with a best finish of fourth at the SAS Championship in October. He even won a Legends Tour event in June, beating James Kingston 3 and 1 in the final, marking his first professional victory in four years. 

Cabrera competed in the WCW Mexico Senior Open at Pacifico Golf Course, Nov. 15-17, along the southernmost point of the Riviera Nayarit, 30 miles northwest of the resort city of Puerto Vallarta. After his second-round 73, Cabrera went straight to the range to iron out a wrinkle in his swing before kicking back at “The Deck” with his amateur partners and enjoying a late-afternoon nibble. As others washed their food down with adult beverages, Cabrera stuck to water. Married again and with a young child, Cabrera has much to live for back in Cordoba, Argentina — he also maintains a longtime residence in Houston when he’s playing the Champions tour — and is trying to live a better life and make amends for the mistakes he’s made. He lost three years on the golf course but said he “feels reborn” and still has ambitions of winning senior majors.

Feeling better about his game and with his appetite quenched, Cabrera sat with Golfweek for an in-person interview and conversed in Spanish via an interpreter for this Q&A.

Angel Cabrera of Argentina in action prior to the WCM Mexico Senior Open 2024 at Punta Mita Golf Club. (Phil Inglis/Getty Images)

AC: It’s improving. The last month, I worked very hard on my game. So at this point, it’s improving.

Angel Cabrera of Argentina during day four of the Senior Open Championship 2024 at Carnoustie Golf Links. (Phil Inglis/Getty Images)

AC: It was complicated. I didn’t know if I would be given a second chance. I still want to achieve many things and I’m grateful to be playing again. 

Angel Cabrera of Argentina plays his shot from the eighth tee during the first round of the 2020 Ally Challenge at Warwick Hills Golf & Country Club. (Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)

AC: No, no. That’s in the past. I can’t do anything about that now. 

Angel Cabrera of Argentina during day three of the OFX…