Open ace missing drug conviction caddie at Portrush
Harris English admits he's missing his regular sidekick Eric Larson at The Open.
The American star's caddie is absent from Royal Portrush having been refused a visa to travel from the United States due to a past drug conviction.
Larson was unable to obtain the necessary clearance and legal help didn't solve the problem. Grounds for refusal include an applicant who has been convicted of a criminal offence in the UK or overseas for which they served 12 months or more in prison.
Three decades ago, Larson pleaded guilty to sending cocaine to friends and spent 10 years and three months in prison.
Since his release, Larson has worked at three Ryder Cups against Europe assisting Anthony Kim in 2008, Jeff Overton in 2010 and English four years ago at Whistling Straits. He has, in total, caddied for his current boss for the past eight years.
However, English could not get him to the Genesis Scottish Open at The Open and said: 'I miss having him out here, disappointed he's not here, but I know he's rooting me on from Palm Beach Gardens.
'He's probably one of the most positive people I've ever been around. He's obviously been in a pretty rough spot for 10-plus years, so every day is a gift. He does not have a bad day. So that's what I love about him. I can say: Hey, we're going to go practice for 10 hours in a row, he's going to be all for it. Hey: I'm not going to practice today, I'm going to go hang out with my family, he's all for it.
'He's got my back, and he's just a great person. He's probably one of everybody's favourites out here among the players and caddies. He's just a very joyful guy. I know all the caddies and players have been asking me how he's doing. They can't believe he's not over here. Hopefully we'll get it worked out for next year.'
Larson has been offering support from his base and giving out support to English, who has led at one stage on both of the opening two days at the Dunluce.
He has stopped short of dishing out tips from his couch, though, as the player said: 'He's not going to do that. He knows how hard it is in the moment, and you're trying to make the best decision you can in the moment. You can't really look backwards, you should have done this, should have done that. Yeah, he's been great. I miss having him out here, but we're doing good so far.
'I'm sure he's watching every shot. He's like you're playing some of the best golf in the field. Just keep hitting fairways and greens, which is kind of my game of just keep plodding along and play a bit of chess out here. I feel like I did that for the most part. Just got to keep going. I'll have him back in Memphis.'
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