In 2021, Angel Cabrera was sentenced to 30 months in prison for domestic violence. He was released in 2023 and was sanctioned to play in PGA Tour events from December 2023. On his release from prison, Cabrera was still far from the golfer he used to be. During that time, he did not touch a golf club. But he took up the sport again as Cabrera’s long-time coach and mentor, Charlie Epps, stated that “golf is all he has left.”  He took one step at a time, and now, nearly one and a half years later, he is at the precipice of some form of fulfillment.

Competing on the PGA Tour Champions, Cabrera could win two major titles back-to-back after vaulting himself to the top of the leaderboard at the Senior PGA Championship in Maryland after 54 holes. But where is Cabrera from? How did his early life shape his golfing career?

A deep look at the roots of Angel Cabrera

Angel Cabrera was born in Cordoba, Argentina, on 12 September 1969. His father, Miguel, was a handyman while his mother worked as a maid. After his parents split when he was young, Cabrera went to live with his paternal grandmother. Despite being raised in poverty, Cabrera found his way into the world of golf when he became a caddy at the Cordoba Country Club. He learned to play by competing against fellow caddies before leaping to the professional circuit in 1989.

The Argentine failed three times in his bid to earn a European Tour Card through Q-School, but he persisted, eventually earning the card in 1995. From that point onwards, his career saw a stellar upward trajectory, culminating in the US Open victory in 2007 and the coveted Masters title in 2009. He was part of the international team for the Presidents Cup four times and also represented his home nation, Argentina, three times at the Alfred Dunhill and nine times at the World Cup.

His two sons with his first partner, Silvia, Federico and Angel Jr., had taken their father’s path and competed on the PGA Tour of Latinoamerica. Angel Jr. has also caddied for his dad on several occasions, including donning the iconic white jumpsuit at the Masters many times. Cabrera is currently married to Yamila Alvarez, whom he married right after his release from jail. Alvarez had previously given birth to their son Felipe in 2022.

Cabrera was initially denied a visa to compete at the 2024 Masters (for which he has a lifetime exemption owing to his 2009 win), but that was resolved later, allowing him to compete in the 2025 Masters, where he failed to make the cut after carding 11 over par.

Like Epps explained, the sport is a way and form of rehabilitation for the Argentine. Despite the tough outing at the Masters, the Argentine is making waves on the senior tour this year.

2025 is a dominant PGA Tour Champions season for Cabrera

Despite featuring only sporadically on the Champions Tour this season, the Argentine sensation has been downright exemplary on the course. He is only one among two golfers to have won multiple titles on the tour, the other being Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez. Cabrera started with a bit of difficulty, finishing T19 at the Trophy Hassan II and T51 at the Chubb Classic.

But he ended up winning the James Hardie Pro Football Hall of Fame Invitational by two strokes. It was not long before the two-time major winner won his first senior major title when he claimed victory at the Tradition held at the Greystone Founders Course. He also finished 4th at the Mitsubishi Classic between his two titles.

Do you think Angel Cabrera can round off his amazing run of form with a second senior major title in two weeks?