President Donald Trump has pardoned PGA Tour caddie Eric Larson, clearing a decades-old federal cocaine conviction that had prevented him from traveling to the United Kingdom for some of golf’s biggest tournaments.
Larson, 66, is the longtime caddie for American golfer Harris English. He pleaded guilty three decades ago to conspiracy to distribute cocaine and was sentenced in 1995 to 156 months in federal prison, five years of supervised release and a $25,000 fine.
Although Larson was released in 2006 after serving more than 10 years, his conviction followed him long after he returned to professional golf.
Larson’s Conviction Cost Him a Six-Figure Payday
The problem resurfaced when the United Kingdom introduced its Electronic Travel Authorization system for American travelers. Larson’s application was denied because of his criminal record, preventing him from accompanying English to tournaments including the Scottish Open and The Open Championship.
That restriction proved particularly costly. English finished runner-up at The Open and collected $1.8 million, but Larson couldn’t work the tournament. With caddies typically receiving around 7 percent of a player’s winnings for a top-10 finish, Larson could have missed out on about $126,000.
Trump signed Larson’s pardon on September 3 and personally called Larson and English to deliver the news.
“I’m very fortunate,” Larson told the New York Post. “I’m grateful. I got a chance now.”
Larson has said he was never a cocaine user or major dealer, describing his crime as sending cocaine to friends. He ultimately spent 10 years and three months behind bars before entering a halfway house and being released in 2006.
From Federal Prison Back to the PGA Tour
Soon after, Larson rebuilt his career in golf.
Longtime friend and PGA Tour veteran Mark Calcavecchia hired him as a caddie, and Larson later worked with Anthony Kim, including at the 2008 Ryder Cup, and Jeff Overton at the 2010 Ryder Cup. He eventually began working with English and was on his bag for the 2021 Ryder Cup.
According to the New York Post, Larson first met Trump through Kim. Larson later played golf with Trump at his West Palm Beach club and discussed the travel restrictions created by his conviction.
Larson, however, said he did not simply rely on his connection with the president. He formally applied for clemency and said his case went through the Justice Department’s pardon process.
“I’ve met Trump before with the golfers,” Larson told the Post. “He loves golf. The Department of Justice went through all my paperwork and all my prison paperwork. It went through the process. I want it to be based on my merits, not because I know him.”
“I’ve done all the right things since Day One, since my crime,” he added.
Larson Eyes a Return to Britain in 2027
The pardon means Larson expects to return to Britain with English in 2027, including for the Scottish Open and The Open.
For Larson, it represents another chapter in a career he rebuilt after spending more than a decade away from the game.
“I didn’t work for 11 years,” Larson told the Post. “And I enjoy it, and I’m caddying for one of the best young players in the game, and I’m not done yet. As long as I can still caddy, I’ll caddy. As long as I’m walking and as long as Harris has me.”
