The 2025 Masters was never in danger of being overshadowed by a 55-year-old who would shoot 75-80 to miss the cut. Beefy shoulders, head hung low, furtive eyes—one could squint and imagine how he looked going from a cell to the yard to avoid trouble. But as much as patrons might think they know, there’s so much they don’t.

Ángel Cabrera earned a lifetime invitation to play The Masters after winning a green jacket in 2009. Thursday marks his first time in the tournament since 2019. There's a pretty good reason for that.

Cabrera’s arrival at Augusta National this week came two years after he was released from prison for assault against ex-partners. He served a 30-month sentence in his native Argentina. The two-time major winner expanded on second chances Tuesday when discussing what warranted his return to the field.