PGA Tour Drama: Harris English’s Caddie Misses $125K Payday Due to Past Conviction

In a twist that reads like a plot from a sports drama, PGA Tour star Harris English secured a remarkable second-place finish at The Open Championship at Royal Portrush, earning a hefty $1.76 million. Yet, the spotlight wasn’t solely on his stellar performance. His long-time caddie, Eric Larson, was conspicuously absent, barred from the United Kingdom due to a drug conviction from over 30 years ago. This unexpected hurdle cost Larson a potential $125,000 payday, a standard seven percent cut of English’s tournament earnings. The story of their partnership, Larson’s past, and the emotional weight of this setback is one that captures the human side of professional golf.

Harris English, ranked 19th in the world, has been a steady force on the PGA Tour. His 2025 season has been nothing short of impressive, with a victory at the Farmers Insurance Open, a tied second at the PGA Championship, and a fourth-place finish at the Travelers Championship. His performance at The Open, finishing at 13-under-par, just four strokes behind winner Scottie Scheffler, was a testament to his resilience. But the absence of Larson, who has been by his side for eight years, added a layer of complexity to this triumph. English had to rely on his short-game coach, Ramon Bescansa, to carry his bag, a last-minute substitution that didn’t seem to derail his focus.

Eric Larson’s journey is as compelling as it is controversial. A former golfer at Palm Beach State College, Larson pivoted to caddying after realizing his talents lay in supporting players rather than competing. His career boasts an impressive resume, having worked with Mark Calcavecchia, Anthony Kim, and Jeff Overton, guiding each to the Ryder Cup as rookies. With English, Larson has been instrumental in three of his five PGA Tour victories, including the 2021 Sentry and Travelers Championships, both won in playoffs, and this year’s Farmers Insurance Open. Their partnership is more than professional; it’s a bond built on trust and shared adversity.

Larson’s past, however, casts a long shadow. In the early 1990s, while caddying for Ken Green, Larson was indicted for conspiracy to sell cocaine in Tennessee, a charge he was acquitted of, only to face another in Michigan for distributing cocaine across state lines. He pleaded guilty, serving over a decade in prison before his release in 2006. During his incarceration, Larson earned a business administration degree and stayed fit, emerging determined to rebuild his life. “This is my second chance at life,” Larson told the Daily Mail. “When I got out, I wanted to caddy again, I wanted to win golf tournaments, I wanted to caddy in the Ryder Cup, in the President’s Cup, and I’ve done it all. My next goal is to win a major. Well, they took one of my goals away from me because of something for which I’ve paid my time.”

The UK’s new Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) visa rules, which apply to Americans, stipulate that individuals with a criminal conviction resulting in 12 months or more in prison can be denied entry. Larson, despite having caddied at The Open multiple times since his release, was unable to secure a visa for the 2025 event. He applied during the U.S. Open, but his request was rejected, and subsequent appeals, backed by letters from the PGA Tour, the R&A, the U.S. Ambassador’s office, and Operation New Hope—a charity Larson supports—failed to sway the decision. “It doesn’t make any sense because I’ve been to the U.K. 10 times to caddie in the British Open and the Ryder Cup since I got out of prison,” Larson told The Palm Beach Post. “I just want to be there to help Harris.”

English, too, expressed frustration over the situation, highlighting the unfairness of punishing Larson for a mistake made three decades ago. “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?” English said to the Associated Press. He emphasized Larson’s transformation, noting his positive attitude and unwavering support. “He’s not really proud of what he did,” English told Bunkered. “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.”

The situation raises broader questions about redemption and fairness. Larson pointed out what he perceives as a double standard, noting that other golfers with criminal records, such as Angel Cabrera, who was jailed for assault and theft, were allowed to compete in the UK. “I’ve got nothing against them, but it seems like a double standard,” Larson told the Daily Mail. “If they’re in there, why is my case any different?” His candor reflects a man who has owned his mistakes but feels the weight of a lifetime sentence that society imposes long after legal debts are paid.

For English, the absence of Larson didn’t hinder his performance, thanks to Bescansa’s familiarity with his game. “Ramon and I did a great job of coming up with a strategy. He kind of knows how I operate,” English said post-tournament. Bescansa, who also caddies for LIV Golf’s Abraham Ancer, stepped in seamlessly, helping English navigate the Dunluce Links to a career-defining finish. Yet, the emotional toll was evident. English, vying for a spot on the U.S. Ryder Cup team, where he currently sits 10th in the standings, admitted the situation “sucks” for both him and Larson. “We’ve had a good major run. I mean, 12th in the Masters, second in the PGA, didn’t play great at Oakmont, but I made the cut,” he said. “He’s just disappointed. I think he had a lot of optimism that he was going to be able to come over.”

Larson’s story resonates beyond the fairways. His work with Operation New Hope, a charity supporting formerly incarcerated individuals, showcases his commitment to giving back. “The candor and honesty that Eric showed when he spoke was something that really hit home,” said Kevin Gay, the charity’s founder, in an interview with The Palm Beach Post. Larson’s speeches at fundraisers, often accompanied by signed Ryder Cup memorabilia, have inspired others, proving that second chances can lead to meaningful contributions.

As English continues his pursuit of a Ryder Cup spot and, potentially, a major championship, Larson remains a steadfast supporter from afar. Their partnership exemplifies the resilience and camaraderie that define professional golf. While the $125,000 payday would have been a significant milestone for Larson, his absence from Royal Portrush underscores a deeper narrative: the enduring impact of past mistakes and the fight for redemption. For Larson, the goal of caddying in a major victory remains alive, even if this chapter was written without him on the course.

This saga, blending triumph, setback, and human perseverance, is one that golf fans and beyond can’t help but follow. Will Larson join English for the next major? Can English secure that elusive Claret Jug with his trusted caddie by his side? The answers lie in the future, but for now, their story is a powerful reminder that every swing on the course carries a story far greater than the scorecard.