Golfer Harris English Faces Open Championship Without Caddie Over 30-Year-Old Cocaine Charge

In a twist straight out of a Hollywood script, golfer Harris English might be teeing off at next week’s Open Championship at Royal Portrush without his trusted caddie, Eric Larson. The reason? A 30-year-old cocaine charge that’s come back to haunt Larson, blocking his entry into the U.K. under new visa regulations.

Larson, who pleaded guilty decades ago to sending cocaine to friends in the Midwest, served over 10 years in prison before his release in 2006. Though he wasn’t a user or major dealer, his past conviction—exceeding the 12-month imprisonment threshold for visa refusals—has left him stranded in the U.S. as he was denied an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) visa. English, currently ranked No. 19 in the world, revealed the snag ahead of the Scottish Open, noting with a touch of frustration, "I guess the United Kingdom doesn't look highly on his past."

The timing couldn’t be worse. English only learned of Larson’s visa woes after a strong fourth-place finish at the Travelers Championship. Since then, a flurry of letters from heavyweights like the R&A, the PGA Tour, and even a U.K. ambassador’s office have been sent to plead Larson’s case. Yet, as English put it, the paperwork might just be "sitting on someone's desk at the government somewhere."

For English, who played a key role in the 2021 Ryder Cup victory with Larson by his side, this is more than a logistical hiccup. It’s a personal blow. As he prepares for one of golf’s biggest stages, the absence of his caddie could be a mental hurdle as much as a practical one. Will bureaucracy bog down this dynamic duo, or will a last-minute miracle save the day? Stay tuned.