Ángel Cabrera delivers a stunning albatross on the par-5 7th at the American Family Insurance Open, marking a major highlight in his PGA Tour Champions comeback. A rare and unforgettable golf moment.
🕊️ Inroduction
“Where eagles dare… but albatrosses fly.” Few moments in golf encapsulate that phrase better than what unfolded on the par-5 7th hole at University Ridge in Madison, Wisconsin. On a humid Saturday morning at the 2025 American Family Insurance Championship, two-time major winner Ángel Cabrera delivered a moment of magic: a rare albatross that has already become the talk of the PGA Tour Champions circuit.
✨ A Shot for the Ages
Cabrera, 54, was in prime position off the tee on the 568-yard 7th. After a perfectly shaped drive, he had 234 yards left. What happened next was a mix of precision and audacity: a flushed hybrid that pitched short, tracked straight, and disappeared into the cup. One swing. One ball. One albatross.
The shot stunned both fans and playing partners, prompting a raucous roar across the gallery.
According to Golfweek, Cabrera’s first words were simply, “Did it go in?” before the crowd confirmed the miraculous two. Even on a tour known for legends, an albatross remains a once-in-a-career feat.
🌅 From the Shadows to the Spotlight
This wasn’t just any round. Cabrera, who has been rebuilding his career after past legal and personal challenges, has been in strong form in 2025. Just weeks ago, he claimed his first senior major title at the Regions Tradition, as reported by FOX Sports. The albatross now cements his status as a legitimate contender once again — not just a sentimental figure from golf’s past.
His performance in Madison echoes a quiet but determined comeback. As Yahoo Sports reported, Cabrera entered the final round tied for fourth, just two shots back. The albatross didn’t just make headlines — it catapulted him into Sunday contention.
🕊️ Notable Albatrosses in Professional Golf (2020–2025)
Where Eagles Dare… But Albatrosses Fly
🌍 DP World Tour
- Niklas Lemke – 2025 KLM Open, holed out from 246m on the 18th. YourGolfGOATS
- Keita Nakajima – 2025 Hero Dubai Desert Classic, hole 18, 236-yard hybrid. DP World Tour
- CJ du Plessis – 2025 Mauritius Open, 200-yard 9-iron. European Tour
🇺🇸 PGA Tour
- Robby Shelton – 2024 Valspar Championship, hole 14, 258-yard second shot. PGA Tour
- Xander Schauffele – 2023 The American Express, first career albatross. PGA Tour
- Robert Garrigus – 2021 Barbasol Championship, par-5 5th hole. Wikipedia
🏴☠️ LIV Golf
- Brendan Steele – 2024 LIV Golf Greenbrier, hole 17, 287-yard shot. LIV Golf
- Richard Bland – 2025 LIV Mexico City, hole 16, 253 yards. Golf Monthly
🏆 PGA Tour Champions
- Ángel Cabrera – 2025 American Family Insurance Open, par-5 7th hole, 234-yard second shot. YourGolfGOATS
🪶 The Significance of an Albatross
In professional golf, albatrosses are exceedingly rare — far rarer than holes-in-one. It’s a score of three-under-par on a single hole, typically only achievable on par-5s. For context, the last notable albatross on a major stage came from Louis Oosthuizen at the 2012 Masters. For Cabrera, it’s his first in PGA Tour-sanctioned play and an unforgettable one.
As noted by Motorcycle Sports, the energy Cabrera brought to the course post-albatross was palpable. He went on to birdie the next hole and posted a bogey-free 66 — his lowest round this season on the Champions Tour.
🔮 What’s Next for Cabrera?
The timing couldn’t be better. Cabrera is targeting a spot in the Charles Schwab Cup Playoffs, and the points earned in Madison could prove critical. With strong finishes in the American Family Insurance Championship and the Regions Tradition, he’s becoming a fixture again among the game’s over-50 elite.
Cabrera, known for his swagger and smooth tempo, summed it up best in his post-round remarks:
That “something” was an albatross — a gift from the golfing gods, and a symbol of redemption for one of the game’s most enigmatic figures.
