Harris English arrived in the United Kingdom this week, ready to tackle the Genesis Scottish Open and the prestigious Open Championship at Royal Portrush. But his preparations hit an unexpected snag: his longtime caddie, Eric Larson, was denied a U.K. visa due to a drug conviction from over 30 years ago, leaving English scrambling for a Plan B during a critical stretch of the season.

Larson, who has been by English’s side for eight years, including at the last four Open Championships, was unable to secure the newly required Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) visa, a regulation now applied to Americans. The issue stems from a 1995 conviction where Larson pleaded guilty to sending cocaine to friends in the Midwest. Though he was not a user or major dealer, he served 10 years and three months in prison, being released from a halfway house in June 2006. Despite rebuilding his life and earning respect in the golf world, the U.K.’s strict visa rules, which bar entry for those with convictions involving 12 months or more in prison, have kept him stateside.

“I just want to get to the British Open to help Harris,” Larson told the Associated Press from his Florida home, frustration evident in his voice.

“Everything has been tight-lipped. Everybody is frustrated.”

English, ranked No. 19 in the world and 10th in U.S. Ryder Cup standings, only learned of Larson’s plight three weeks ago after a strong T4 finish at the Travelers Championship. Since then, he’s pulled every string possible to resolve the issue. He contacted U.S. Ambassador to the U.K. Warren Stephens, whose office wrote a letter of support. The R&A, PGA Tour, and even Operation New Hope, a charity Larson works with, also submitted letters vouching for his character.

“It’s not for a lack of effort,” English said at The Renaissance Club before his Scottish Open pro-am round. “I think it could be sitting on someone’s desk at the government somewhere.”

Larson, meanwhile, has hired London-based legal firm Bates Wells and applied for a six-month visa through Miami-based VSF Global, but two weeks after submitting, he’s heard nothing. “I didn’t even know I needed the ETA until the U.S. Open,” Larson admitted, highlighting how the new regulation caught him off guard.

The timing couldn’t be worse for English, who’s in top form with a win at the Farmers Insurance Open and a T2 at the PGA Championship this season. The Scottish Open and Open Championship are pivotal for his Ryder Cup aspirations, and Larson’s absence is a blow.

“I guess the United Kingdom doesn’t look highly on his past,” English said, reflecting on the situation. “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?”

For now, English has turned to Joe Etter, a caddie who worked with him over a decade ago and currently loops for Davis Thompson. Etter is filling in at the Scottish Open, but complications arose when Thompson qualified for the Open Championship at the last minute, leaving Etter unavailable for Royal Portrush. This twist has English facing the possibility of yet another caddie change for the year’s final major.

Larson’s journey in golf is one of redemption. After his release, he was hired by Mark Calcavecchia, who helped him get back on his feet. He went on to caddie for Anthony Kim in the 2008 Ryder Cup, Jeff Overton in 2010, and English in 2021 at Whistling Straits. His experience and rapport with English have been invaluable, making his absence all the more glaring.

As English tees off at the Scottish Open, he remains hopeful that Larson’s visa issues will be resolved in time for the Open Championship.

“It’s just a matter of the right people seeing it,” he said, echoing a sentiment of fairness and second chances. For now, the golf world watches as English navigates this challenge, a reminder that even in the fairways of professional golf, off-course obstacles can test a player’s resolve.

Editor: The U.K. surely has got its priorities straight, doesn’t it? They’ve slammed the door on Harris English’s caddie, Eric Larson, for a 30-year-old drug rap—because apparently, a guy who’s spent decades rebuilding his life and carrying bags for PGA Tour pros is a threat to national security. Meanwhile, thousands of migrants from Afghanistan and Syria, where criminal records are about as reliable as a Ouija board, are waltzing across the Channel, claiming asylum faster than you can say “visa waiver.” Larson’s got letters from the PGA Tour, the R&A, and even a U.S. ambassador, but nah, he’s persona non grata. Yet the Home Office is rolling out the red carpet for folks with no paper trail. Makes total sense. Enjoy the Open Championship, Harris—hope you find a caddie who passes the U.K.’s impeccable moral purity test!