Cabrera prisoned for assaulting ex-partner
BUENOS AIRES: Argentine golf champion Angel “Pato” Cabrera was sentenced to two years prison on Wednesday for assaulting his former partner and stealing her mobile phone.
The ruling by a court in the central city of Cordoba was broadcast on television.
The 51-year-old golf star — who won the 2007 US Open and 2009 Masters — was found guilty of striking Cecilia Torres Mana, 37. The two were partners between 2016 and January 2019.
During the trial Torres Mana described incidents of violence against her that were confirmed by witnesses. Video from security cameras also showed Cabrera threatening her.
Prosecutor Laura Battistelli said that it was important that gender violence was taken into consideration, which served as an aggravating factor.
Cabrera was arrested in Rio de Janeiro in January at Argentina’s request. He was extradited to Argentina in early June.
The fallen golf star — one of the most successful Latin Americans to play the sport — maintains his innocence, and Cabrera’s lawyer has vowed to appeal.
The golfer faces other cases of domestic violence, including one filed by his ex-wife and mother of his two children in 2016.
DUO SKIPPING EVIAN MAJOR
Five of the top 20 players in the world rankings, including Lexi Thompson and Danielle Kang, will not play in the Evian Championship, the fourth major of the LPGA Tour season.
The Evian, played annually in France at a resort of the same name, is scheduled for July 22-25. This year’s tour schedule packs in two majors (the Evian and the Women’s Open at Carnoustie) and the Tokyo Olympics in the span of a month, July 22 to Aug 22.
The deadline to commit to the event was Tuesday, according to Golfweek, and Kang and Thompson do not appear in the official field list. They have not publicly said why; however, Kang and Thompson are two of the four women who’ll compete at the Olympics for Team USA, so the tight schedule may have factored into their decision.
That’s not to say the Evian field will be weak. All three of this season’s major champions — Thailand’s Patty Tavatanakit (ANA Inspiration), Philippines’ Yuka Saso (US Open) and World No.1 Nelly Korda (Women’s PGA Championship) — have committed to play in France. AFP/REUTERS