Harris English has spoken about his "disappointment" after his caddy was denied a visa to work at The Open Championship. due to a conviction for dealing drugs.
Eric Larson, who has been looping for English for the past eight years, was denied a visa by the UK Government despite exhaustive efforts by the five-time PGA Tour winner, lawyers and Open officials. Larson was unable to obtain an Electronic Travel Authority visa, with new rules granting the power to refuse entry to the UK for anyone who has spent a year or more in prison.
Larson spent 10 years and three months in prison after admitting his crimes, and he was released in 2006. He has since worked for Anthony Kim, Jeff Overton, and English. Larson and English have formed a close bond, but the former is stuck back home in the U.S. and will have to watch the action at Royal Portrush from the couch. It comes amid the devastating news that A 28-year-old golfer was killed on the course, leaving fellow players asking major questions about the circumstances. .
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English said, legal experts and golf authorities did "everything they could to help" sway the UK Government's decision, and he made it clear he does not agree with the logic behind it.
"I did everything I could to help," English said. Bunkered. He had a lot of people helping him out, and I guess it just didn't get into the right hands or the right people to see that he is not a threat to society. That he's just going to be over here caddying for me for two weeks and helping me do the best I can to try to win an Open Championship. I think it is a bit silly.
We've had a good major run. I mean, 12th in the Masters, second in the PGA, didn't play great at Oakmont [US Open], but I made the cut. It is what it is, but it sucks. He's just disappointed. I think he had a lot of optimism that he was going to be able to come over.
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English believes Larson, who caddied for Mark Calcavecchia before his conviction, has served his time and learned from his mistakes, and he should no longer be punished.
I mean, he's not really proud of what he did," English said. "He knew he was in the wrong and he knew do the crime, do the time. He knew he messed up but he's turned his life around and he's been awesome.
Whatever he can do to help me or whatever I feel like is best is what he's going to do, and he's been awesome for me. It's just disappointing trying to win an Open without him this week. "I miss having him. He has one of the best attitudes I've ever seen.
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English will have Ramon Bescansa carrying the bag in Northern Ireland. The 35-year-old had Joe Etter, Davis Thompson's caddie, working for him at last week's Scottish Open. But Thompson earned one of the final spots in the Open field, meaning English had to turn to Bescansa.
English is ranked No. 19 in the world and he is in the hunt to qualify for the Ryder Cup at Bethpage in September, making the news of Larson's absence even more frustrating for the form Georgia native.
English won the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in January before finishing in a share of second place at Quali Hollow in the PGA Championship. He also finished in a tie for fourth place at last month's Travelers Championship.
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