President Donald Trump has granted a full presidential pardon to longtime PGA Tour caddie Eric Larson, potentially removing one of the biggest obstacles preventing Harris English’s veteran looper from accompanying him to golf’s biggest events in the United Kingdom.

Trump issued the pardon on Sept. 3 for Larson’s decades-old federal cocaine conviction, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Larson was convicted in the Western District of Michigan in 1995 of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and sentenced to 156 months in federal prison, five years of supervised release and a $25,000 fine.

Larson, now 66, served more than a decade in prison before rebuilding his life and eventually returning to professional golf as a caddie.

But nearly three decades later, the conviction unexpectedly returned to impact his career.

Changes to the United Kingdom’s travel authorization system prevented Larson from obtaining the necessary clearance to enter the country, forcing him to miss both the Scottish Open and Open Championship while working for English.

The issue became particularly painful in 2025 when English finished runner-up at The Open while his regular caddie was unable to be alongside him.

That made Larson’s pardon an unusual intersection of presidential politics and professional golf.

“I’m very fortunate. I’m grateful. I got a chance now,” Larson told the New York Post following the decision.

English was equally enthusiastic.

“I’m just so pumped for Eric that he can have his rights back,” English told the Post, adding that he hopes Larson can now travel with him to both the Scottish Open and Open Championship.

“He knows what it’s like to have your freedom taken away. He just brings so much joy.”

A Caddie’s Past Returns Decades Later

Larson’s story has been well known within professional golf for years.

Following his release from prison, he rebuilt his career on the PGA Tour, working for players including former major champion Mark Calcavecchia, Anthony Kim and Jeff Overton before becoming English’s regular caddie in 2017.

He has worked Ryder Cups and Presidents Cups and has been on English’s bag for multiple PGA Tour victories.

English and numerous figures throughout professional golf have publicly supported Larson as he attempted to resolve his UK travel problems.

“He did his time in prison. Everybody out here knows him,” English said earlier this year.

“So many people vouched for him, how good of a citizen he is.”

Those supporters reportedly included not only English but the PGA Tour, PGA of America and R&A, which organizes The Open Championship.

Even that backing initially wasn’t enough.

Larson told golf writer Bob Harig that he spent more than $22,000 in legal fees attempting to gain entry into the UK before eventually turning to the presidential pardon process.

Larson applied for clemency through the federal process earlier this year and said he wanted the case evaluated on its merits rather than simply because Trump is an avid golfer and Larson had crossed paths with him through the sport.

“I want it to be based on my merits, not because I know him,” Larson said.

Larson had previously encountered Trump through his work with PGA Tour players, and the U.S. President personally informed Larson and English that the pardon had been granted.

Does the Pardon Get Larson Back to The Open?

That is the remaining question.

While a presidential pardon carries enormous significance in the United States, it does not necessarily compel another country to disregard the original conviction.

Current UK Home Office guidance specifically states that pardons issued by foreign governments generally do not change the underlying fact that a person was convicted and sentenced, meaning British immigration officials can still consider the original offense when evaluating an application.

The UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation rules also require refusal in certain cases involving applicants who received custodial sentences of at least 12 months.

Larson therefore may still have another immigration process ahead of him.

“I’ve got a presidential pardon. How are they not going to let me in?” Larson told Harig earlier this month.

“But it’s possible. Now it’s more of a stronger argument.”

At minimum, however, Larson now possesses something he did not have during his previous attempts: a full and unconditional pardon from the president of the United States.

And after serving his sentence, rebuilding his career and spending decades back inside professional golf, Larson is hoping that will finally be enough.

“I didn’t work for 11 years,” Larson said. “And I enjoy it and I’m caddying for one of the best players in the game, and I’m not done yet.”

“As long as I can still caddy, I’ll caddy. As long as I’m walking and as long as Harris has me.”