Harris English is competing at the Scottish Open without caddie Eric Larson.
The American golfer’s long-time bag man has been left in the States after failing to secure an Electronic Travel Authority visa for travel to the UK.
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English is trying to earn a spot on Team USACredit: Getty
Larson previously served ten years and three months in prison after pleading guilty to sending cocaine to friends 30 years ago.
He was released from a halfway house in 2006.
English — the world No.19 — is currently 10th in Team USA’s Ryder Cup standings, with the Scottish Open and next week’s Open Championship potentially crucial for his hopes.
Larson is scrambling to be allowed to travel and hired London-based firm Bates Well for legal services, while enlisting Miami-based VSF Global to try and land a fast-track six-month visa.
“I just want to get to the British Open to help Harris,” Larson told The Associated Press.
He didn’t realize he needed an ETA visa until the U.S. Open and his application was denied.
“I guess the United Kingdom doesn’t look highly on his past,” English said Tuesday at The Renaissance Club. “And apparently it’s a work in progress.”
English has spoke to Warren Stephens — the ambassador to the U.K.
“They wrote a letter. The R&A wrote a letter. The PGA Tour wrote a letter. A charity event Eric works for in the States (Operation New Hope) wrote a letter. It’s not for a lack of effort,” English added. “I think it could be sitting on someone’s desk at the government somewhere.
“It’s just a matter of the right people seeing it.
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Larson has plenty of PGA Tour experience having worked with Anthony KimCredit: Getty
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English wants Larson to be able to leave his past behind
“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?”
Joe Etter, who worked for English over 10 years ago, is standing in.
He usually works for Davis Thompson, who is not playing the Scottish Open but will be at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland for The Open.
“Joe was my Plan B,” English said. “Now we’re going to have to get a new Plan B.”
Larson was alongside English at the last four Opens.
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“Everything has been tight-lipped,” he said. “Everybody is frustrated.”
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Captain Keegan Bradley is considering making the unusual move of naming himself as a playing-captain, which would take a potential spot from English.
Colombia Nicolas Echavarria is the current Scottish Open leader on five-under through 15 holes.