Ryder Cup hopeful, Harris English could be without his long-time caddie, Eric Larson for the Genesis Scottish Open and The Open Championship at Royal Portrush next week after the looper’s request for a UK visa was denied.
Larson has worked for English at the past four Open Championships, however, a newly-introduced regulation which now applies to American citizens has produced an untimely stumbling block.
First reported by the Associated Press’ Doug Ferguson, Larson claims he did not know an Electronic Travel Authority visa was required for travel to the UK until after the US Open last month.
The professional bagman filled out the necessary form more than two weeks ago but saw his request turned down and is still waiting for answers, leaving English scrambling to find on-course help for at least the next few days in Scotland.
For his appearance at The Renaissance Club – the pro who stands 10th in the US Ryder Cup standings – is using Davis Thompson’s looper, Joe Etter.
Joe Etter greets Davis Thompson after the 2025 John Deere Classic
(Image credit: Getty Images)
However, Thompson snatched a last-gasp spot into The Open so the partnership will be even less temporary than English would like.
“Joe was my Plan B. Now we’re going to have to get a new Plan B,” English told Ferguson in Scotland.
Part of the reason an ETA visa can be denied by the UK includes any “applicant who has been convicted of a criminal offence in the UK or overseas for which they served 12 months or more in prison.”
Per Ferguson, Larson pleaded guilty to sending cocaine from his home in Florida to friends in Wisconsin 30 years ago and was subsequently in prison for 10 years and three months before being released from a halfway house in June 2006.
Looking for a fresh start, he was re-hired by Mark Calcavecchia for a brief period, in which they won a PGA Tour title, before going on to help an up-and-coming Anthony Kim at the Ryder Cup in 2008. Larson later partnered up with Jeff Overton in 2010 prior to joining English in 2017.
Eric Larson (left) and Harris English at the 2025 Masters Tournament
(Image credit: Getty Images)
For English, who needs a good fortnight in the UK to further establish his chances of a second Ryder Cup appearance, the timing of Larson’s issue is quite unhelpful.
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