A visa delay has ruled former Masters champ Angel Cabrera out of teeing-up in next month’s Masters at Augusta National.
Cabrera, 54, is again eligible to return to competition in the US but his manager has advised US entry authorities indicating it will take eight to 10 weeks and much longer than the April 11 to 14 Masters to process the Argentiean’s entry visa thus ruling him out in returning to Augusta National for a first time since 2019.
Cabrera has now returned to competition for a first time since serving a 30-month prison sentence in both his native Argentina and Brazil for domestic violence offences. The winner of 53 tournaments around the globe has also remarried and has a young daughter.
A delay in obtaining a US entry visa out of returning to next month’s Masters – Image Augusta National
Cabrera rekindled himself in golfing news thanks to aT-27 finish late last month at the Trophee Hassan II on the US Champions Tour and then last fortnight teed-up but missed the cut in the Korn Ferry Tour’s Argentine Open.
“It’s my dream to return to that prestigious place and walk the course that gave me so much joy and satisfaction,” Cabrera told Golf Digest.
“It would be a great privilege to return and to attend the Champions Dinner with so many of the golf world’s greatest players.”
Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley said earlier last month that Cabrera has a green light to return to Augusta.
Ridley stated Augusta National would’ve welcomed Cabrera with open arms but that would now seem to be on hold to 2025.
Ridley said: “Angel certainty is one of our great champions. As we all know, he has been unable to participate in the Masters the last couple of years due to legal issues.
“Presently we have been in constant contact with Angel’s representatives.
“He presently is not able to enter the United States. 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.”
