Harris English and His Caddie Face Obstacles in the UK
Golfer Harris English is in the UK to compete in the Scottish Open and the Open Championship, key tournaments in his aspiration to participate in the Ryder Cup. However, his caddie, Eric Larson, is facing problems obtaining the new Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) visa required to enter the country, a regulation that now affects US citizens. The reasons for visa denial include convictions for crimes in the UK or abroad with prison sentences of 12 months or more. Larson, three decades ago, pleaded guilty to sending cocaine to friends, resulting in a sentence of 10 years and three months in prison. He was released from a re-entry center in June 2006. Despite his past, Larson has had a distinguished career as a caddie, working with renowned players in the Ryder Cup, such as Anthony Kim in 2008, Jeff Overton in 2010, and, more recently, with English for the last eight years.English, currently ranked 19th in the world and tenth in the US standings for the Ryder Cup, revealed that he learned of Larson’s situation after tying for fourth place at the Travelers Championship three weeks ago. The golfer has sought support, including letters from important figures. “It’s not for lack of effort,” English stated. “I think it might be on someone’s desk in the government somewhere.” Meanwhile, Joe Etter is acting as English’s temporary caddie. Etter, who started working for English more than a decade ago, currently works for Davis Thompson, who is not participating in the Scottish Open. English still hopes that Larson’s situation will be resolved and that he can obtain the necessary ETA visa to enter the United Kingdom. Larson has worked in the last four years in the Open Championship for English and previously for Overton and Kim. “It’s just a matter of the right people seeing it,” he said. “I didn’t understand how complicated the process was. Someone could see that this man had something in his past 30 years ago, he’s been fine for the last 20. How much longer is this going to last him?”“I guess the UK doesn’t look kindly on its past,” English commented on Tuesday at The Renaissance Club. “And apparently it’s a work in progress.”
Harris English
