American golfer Harris English is preparing for another shot at Open Championship glory, but once again he will have to compete without the caddie who has been by his side for nearly a decade.
English is in Scotland ahead of this week’s Scottish Open before heading to Royal Birkdale for next week’s Open Championship, the final men’s major of the season. Yet while the five-time PGA Tour winner has already arrived in the United Kingdom, his longtime caddie, Eric Larson, remains in the United States after once again being denied permission to enter the country.
The issue centers on the United Kingdom’s Electronic Travel Authority system, which has been in effect for American travelers since January 2025. Larson’s application was rejected because of a criminal conviction dating back three decades. In the 1990s, Larson pleaded guilty to sending cocaine to friends in the Midwest. He served 10 years and three months in prison before being released from a halfway house in June 2006.
Second Straight Year of Frustration
Under the UK’s travel rules, applicants can be refused entry if they have been convicted of a criminal offense in the UK or overseas that resulted in a prison sentence of 12 months or longer. Because of that history, Larson requires an exemption, but his latest application was unsuccessful.
The rejection marks the second straight year Larson has been unable to travel to the Scottish Open and the Open Championship. Last year, he admitted he did not realize he needed the new authorization until shortly before the tournaments, leaving him to rush through the application process and ultimately be denied.
This year, English said every effort was made to avoid another disappointment. Speaking to reporters after arriving at the Renaissance Club, he explained that Larson hired a lawyer and paid to have his application expedited. Despite those efforts, the decision came just one day before Larson was scheduled to fly.
“He was due to fly on Saturday and found out maybe on Friday, which is just disappointing,” English said. “He’s a big part of my team. He has been for a long time now, and it’s just disappointing that they can’t figure out something.”
Harris English Defends His Longtime Caddie
English spoke passionately in defense of the man who has carried his bag for the past nine years. He described Larson as someone who has rebuilt his life after serving his sentence and questioned why previous trips to the UK had not prevented the latest refusals.
“Eric’s been over here a number of times caddying for me in the Scottish and The Open,” English said. “I don’t know why all of a sudden he’s not able to come over. He’s put a lot of time and effort into it. He has so much credibility. I’ll stand by that man for anything.”
The golfer continued by arguing that Larson has already paid the price for his past mistakes.
“It just seems that he’s still being punished for something he did a long time ago, and to me, he paid his price spending 10 years in prison, and he’s still being hurt for that, and he’s gotten his life turned around,” English said. “He’s an integral part of my team, and he’s helped me out tremendously over the last nine years.”
Backup Plans for The Open
Ironically, English produced his best Open Championship finish without Larson on the bag. At last year’s tournament, he finished runner-up to Scottie Scheffler while his putting coach, Ramon Bescansa, filled in as caddie.
With the possibility of another denial in mind, English prepared a backup plan well in advance this year. He turned to Geno Bonnalie, the former caddie of Joel Dahmen, for this week’s Scottish Open. Bescansa is expected to return to carry the bag during the Open Championship itself.
Larson has built a respected career since his release in 2006. Veteran golfer Mark Calcavecchia gave him another opportunity by hiring him after he left the halfway house, helping him restart his life in professional golf. Larson later caddied for Anthony Kim, Jeff Overton, and Harris English, including appearances at three Ryder Cups. Before last year’s travel problems, he had worked four consecutive Open Championships alongside English and had previously caddied at multiple editions of both the Open Championship and the Senior Open.
As English prepares for another major challenge at Royal Birkdale, he will once again be chasing golf’s oldest championship without one of the most trusted members of his team by his side.
