PGA Tour star's caddie blocked from travelling to UK for The Open after decade-long prison sentence
GOLF TURMOIL PGA Tour star's caddie blocked from travelling to UK for The Open after decade-long prison sentence
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HARRIS ENGLISH'S caddie could be absent for The Open as he has still not received his UK visa.
Eric Larson is facing difficulty obtaining a visa because he once served prison time over a drug conviction.
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Harris English's caddie Eric Larson, left, has not received a visa to travel to the UK
Credit: Getty
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Larson could be absent for The Open next week
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English may have to come up with a second Plan B option
Credit: Getty
English is competing in the Scottish Open this week - a week before the final major of the season takes place at Royal Portrush in Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland.
He is using a different caddie, Joe Etter, at the tournament and he could be without his right-hand man if Larson cannot get his hands on a visa.
Larson, who served ten years in prison for drug offences before his release in 2006, requires an exemption to the UK's new Electronic Travel Authority rules.
All US travellers to the country now require an ETA visa, which Larson applied for two weeks ago.
But he has not heard anything back after his form was denied - grounds for refusal include an applicant who has been convicted of a criminal offense in the UK or overseas for which they served 12 months or more in prison.
Larson said of the ordeal: "I just want to get to the British Open to help Harris."
English, the world No19, said a letter is "sitting on someone's desk at the government somewhere" as Larson awaits an exemption.
He said: "I guess the United Kingdom doesn't look highly on his past.
"I didn't understand how complicated the process was. Someone could see this guy had something in his past 30 years ago, he's been fine the last 20.
"How long does this stay with him?"
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English said multiple letters have been written to vouch for the caddie, including one from the office of the US Ambassador to the UK, Warren Stephens.
He added: "They [Stephens' office] wrote a letter. The R&A wrote a letter. The PGA Tour wrote a letter. A charity event Eric works for in the States wrote a letter," English said.
"It's not for a lack of effort. I think it could be sitting on someone's desk at the government somewhere."
English could have a tricky situation on his hands as his stand-in caddie Etter will partner Davis Thompson at The Open.
He said: "Joe was my Plan B. Now we're going to have to get a new Plan B."
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