Ryder Cup star bounced back from cocaine caddie | Golf News

Harris English quietly endured one of golf’s strangest mid-season disruptions: his longtime caddie, Eric Larson, was denied entry to the U.Okay. because of a decades-old drug conviction and missed out on a large payday as a outcome.

Despite that setback, English has already secured his place on the 2025 U.S. Ryder Cup staff — and the controversy provides a dramatic subplot to his path to Bethpage Black, where the climate at the course may have a major affect on the event.

Larson has caddied for English for eight years and was initially planning to accompany him to Scotland for the Genesis Scottish Open and then the Open Championship at Royal Portrush.

However, new U.Okay. Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) guidelines now block entry for Americans who have served custodial sentences of 12 months or more. Larson’s past conviction — he pleaded guilty to sending cocaine to pals roughly 30 years in the past and served about 10 years behind bars — thus made him ineligible.

English only turned conscious of the issue after the U.S. Open. He said that he and Larson pleaded their case to British officers, submitting letters from the R&A, the PGA Tour, U.S. diplomatic channels, and a charity Larson helps, but noticed no decision.

“Someone could see this guy had something in his past 30 years ago … how long does this stay with him?” English said.

In Larson’s absence, English turned to backup help. Joe Etter, who often caddies for Davis Thompson, crammed in at the Scottish Open. For The Open, placing coach Ramon Bescansa carried the bag.

The timing may hardly be more troublesome, yet English refused to let the off-course drama derail his season. He went into 2025 ranked close to seventy fifth but surged upward with strong finishes, including a win at the Farmers Insurance Open, runner-ups at the PGA Championship and The Open, and constant showings across other high-profile occasions.

DON’T MISS:

His efficiency earned him automated qualification to the Ryder Cup staff — he’s one of six automated qualifiers for Team USA.

“Making that Ryder Cup team on points was a big goal of mine. I was a captain’s pick back in 2021, so making that team on points and finishing fifth just makes me believe that I belong,” English said.

“I feel like I have way more of an appreciation making the second Ryder Cup team, and I don’t take it lightly, and I definitely don’t take it for granted of how much hard work it takes,” he said. “It gives me some belief that I belong on that team.”