Just days before the Genesis Scottish Open, Harris English was dealt a major setback involving Britain's Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) regulations.

The issue will force the five-time PGA Tour winner to compete without his longtime caddie for the second straight year despite efforts to secure the necessary approval.

“He was due to fly on Saturday and found out maybe on Friday, which is just disappointing. 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,” English said in an interview with Today's Golfer.

The situation regarding Larson goes way back, almost three decades. Due to past criminal convictions, the caddie served a decade in prison.

Last year, Larson couldn’t carry English’s bag at The Open at Royal Portrush, as he required additional travel approval at the last moment. This time around, he followed the procedure early but still couldn’t get the permit.

“He went through the same process, hired a lawyer and went through all the correct things to do to try to get approved for his visa, and unfortunately it got refused again,” English told Today’s Golfer.

Even the PGA Tour and The R&A have extended their help. The Ryder Cup star has also contacted the U.S. Ambassador to the UK, but to no avail.

English also highlighted how much Larson has changed since the convictions that continue to affect his travel.

English comments on Larson’s transformation

Despite the past convictions, English believed that his caddie, Larson, had turned his life around.

“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,” said English in the same interview.

Since joining forces in 2017, Larson has caddied for English in three PGA Tour victories and the 2021 Ryder Cup win.

“He’s been an outstanding citizen of the United States for a long time. He can still travel a lot of countries, and he’s not going to bother anybody. He’s over here to do the job, and that’s helped me a lot in the last nine years. I just wish it would be a little easier for him,” he added.

While Geno Bonnalie and Ramon Bescansa will replace Larson at the Genesis Scottish Open and The Open Championship, respectively, English believes his caddie's conduct since leaving prison reflects the transformation he has undergone.

What are your thoughts on Larson’s situation? Share them in the comments.

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Written by

Avishek Sarkar

Edited by

Pulkit Prabhav