Latest news with #Open
Daily Mirror
13 minutes ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Banned Open caddie misses out on huge payday adding insult to injury after emotional statement
Eric Larson was denied entry to the UK for The Open as a result of a drug conviction from more than three decades ago, missing a portion of Harris English's spoils for his second-place finish Eric Larson missed out on bolstering his bank balance by almost £93,000 last weekend when Harris English secured a second-place finish at the Open. Larson, who has caddied for English for the last eight years, was unable to travel to Royal Portrush for the fourth major of the golfing calendar, on account of a drug conviction from more than three decades ago. Larson, who admitted to distributing cocaine to friends, was jailed for over a decade 30 years ago. However, his past still had an impact on his ability to travel freely to the United Kingdom, due to a new rule in the overseas travel system which places restrictions on former convicts. This forced English to enlist in his short-game coach, Ramon Bescansa, for bag duties across the tournament - but a change of face clearly didn't impact his play all too much. That's because English secured a second-place finish at the Open by the end of Sunday's play with an overall score of 13-under-par, just four strokes shy of tournament winner and world No. 1, Scottie Scheffler. Thanks to his endeavours, English took home a staggering runner-up cheque of £1.3million, while Scheffler walked away with the fifth major title of his career and a £2.2m payday. PGA Tour stars typically reward their caddies with seven per cent of their earnings from any given tournament, meaning that Larson would have been in line for a £93,000 payday if he was by English's side. Speaking about missing the Open entirely, Larson told the Daily Mail: "This is my second chance at life. "When I got out, I wanted to caddy again, I wanted to win golf tournaments, I wanted to caddy in the Ryder Cup, in the President's Cup, and I've done it all. My next goal is to win a major. "Well, they took one of my goals away from me because of something for which I've paid my time. No one knows more than me how wrong I was to do what I did. But I did all the right things when I got out and, here I am, 20 years later, getting penalised for something I've already paid a heavy price." Larson also accused the UK Government of "double standards" as Australian Ryan Peake - who once served five years in prison for assault - was permitted entry to play at Portrush. He added: "I've got nothing against Ryan Peake, I think it's a great story, I'd support that in a heartbeat, but it seems like a double standard." While he's still searching for his first major title, English's outing at the Open comes as the second time this year that he has came agonisingly close to cementing his status among golf's legends. The 35-year-old also secured a T2 finish at this year's PGA Championship at Quail Hollow alongside Bryson DeChambeau and Davis Riley with a score of six-under. Scheffler once again took the trophy at that event, finishing a mammoth five strokes clear of his closest competitors. However, English has enjoyed a wealth of success on the PGA Tour alongside Larson to date. The two were side-by-side for three of English's five wins on the Tour, winning the Sentry and the Travelers Championship in 2021 via play-offs, as well as the Farmers Insurance Open earlier this year outright. Speaking about operating alongside Bescansa after the Open, English said: "'Ramon and I did a great job of coming up with a strategy. He kind of knows how I operate." Teetering on the outside of qualifying for a Ryder Cup spot, he added: "Hopefully I can get in that top six to lock up a spot," with hopes of improving on his current eighth-place OWGR position.
USA Today
5 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
When will the British Open return to Ireland? Royal Portrush, Portmarnock in line to host
It took only six years for the British Open to return to Royal Portrush after its successful staging in 2019. An estimated crowd of 278,000 was expected at Royal Portrush last week, which would have made it the biggest attendance at an Open held outside St Andrews. How long will it take for the R&A to bring back the final men's major of the season to County Antrim? The R&A is holding its cards close to the vest. While the PGA already has announced future championship sites through 2034 (with the exception of 2033) and the USGA has sites booked as far out as 2051, the R&A has only shared future sites through 2027. (Royal Birkdale is on deck and St. Andrews in 2027.) During his Open Championship press conference, R&A chief executive Mark Darbon suggested that the 2028 site will be named sometime before the middle of next year. Golfweek hears that Royal St. George's in England, which last hosted the 149th Open in 2021 could be in line for a return date. Muirfield, which last hosted in 2013, could also be a serious contender but Darbon noted some logistical changes, including to the practice facility, that need to be made. The next visit to the Emerald Isle may actually come in Ireland, not Northern Ireland. Portmarnock Golf Club has been under consideration in recent years. Set on a peninsula which juts into the Irish Sea about 8 miles northeast of Dublin, the course winds its way through rolling sand hills on crisp turf and pot bunkers abound. 'I've heard they're talking about it. I've heard they might go there. It would be amazing, 30 minutes from my house. I'd be able to stay at home and play in an Open,' said 2019 Open champion Shane Lowry on Sunday. 'It's one of the best golf courses in the world. I think it's good enough to host an Open, and hopefully it will soon.' Speaking to Golfweek, fellow Irishman Paul McGinley also gave his full endorsement: 'Absolutely,' he said. 'Outside of a St. Andrews Open, it would be a memorable Open golf-wise as well as commercially. Amazing course and right in the center of Dublin.' But there are still a few holdups, meaning it may not happen before 2032, including the fact that Ireland isn't part of Britain so technically the British Open – for those who refer to it as that rather than the Open Championship – would be played outside the United Kingdom for the first time. But it does feel that Portmarnock has moved into the category of 'when, not if' it will host an Open. Promising news arrived in late April when the club membership voted and approved several modifications to the links requested by the R&A and to be undertaken by architects Mackenzie & Ebert, who have worked on several of the links in the current rota. 'We think it's a wonderful links golf course and we've been really encouraged by the support that we've had in principle from the Irish government to work with us to understand whether we could stage an Open Championship there in the future,' Darbon said. 'We're knee deep in feasibility work to help us answer that question fully. We expect to have a clearer picture by the back end of this year.' As for Royal Portrush, the club's original contract, signed with then-R&A chief Peter Dawson, promised three Opens within a span of 20 years. 'I think it will be 10 years at least,' said Wilma Erskine, the former Royal Portrush secretary, who was involved in wooing the R&A for the original deal. Northern Ireland's favorite son, career Grand Slam holder Rory McIlroy, is confident that he'll get another chance of winning on home soil at Portrush. 'I think Portrush has quickly turned into one of the best two or three venues that the Open goes to. Talk to every player this week, and they won't say one single bad thing about the golf course,' he said. 'Then I just think the way it sets up, from a logistical standpoint, I think the R&A have worked so well with the local government to make sure everything runs smoothly. Yeah, I hope so. It's only been six years since 2019. I'm not sure Portrush is going to have the Open every six years, that would be nice, but I would obviously love it to keep coming back.' Given that the R&A's TV deal dwarfs that of what the USGA rakes in, expect the commercial success of the Open to be a top priority and making sites such as Royal Lytham and Carnoustie to appear with less frequency in the rota and Ireland and Northern Ireland to be trendy picks. With the 153rd Open a financial success and a contract guaranteeing a return by 2039, Portrush should have its pick of the litter. 'The R&A is looking at how attractive Portrush is and how much of a moneymaker Portmarnock will be,' said one industry observer. 'It's become very much about the profit and loss statement.'
The Irish Sun
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Paige Spiranac puts on busty display in see-through gown as Scheffler brings Claret Jug to Happy Gilmore 2 premiere
PAIGE Spiranac almost stole the show from Open champ Scottie Scheffler at the premiere for Happy Gilmore 2. The golf influencer stunned in a figure-hugging see-through dress as she joined a host of celebrities in New York. 11 Paige Spiranac stunned at the premiere for Happy Gilmore 2 in New York Credit: AP 11 Spiranac will have a cameo in the film, a sequel to the 1996 Adam Sandler cult classic Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 11 Spiranac posts golf themed pictures and videos and has over four million followers on Instagram Credit: Getty 11 Spiranac cameos in Happy Gilmore's trailer Credit: X @AdamSandler 11 She can be seen reacting after Happy destroys a golf simulator screen with his drive Credit: X @AdamSandler Spiranac, 32, She has over four MILLION followers on Instagram and is sure to bring extra eyes to the film when it drops on Netflix on July 25th. Also in attendance at the premiere was world No1 Scheffler. The American, 29, arrived fresh from his victory at the Open Championship in Northern Ireland. READ MORE ON GOLF In tow was Scheffler's wife Meredith, as well as his prize from the Open, the prestigious Claret Jug. 11 Scottie Scheffler appeared at the premier with his Claret Jug in hand Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 11 The world No1 is set to make a cameo in the Netflix sequel Credit: The Mega Agency Scheffler was not the only golfer in attendance, with golf icon John Daly mingling with Hollywood royalty at the event. Daly was seen palling around with Happy Gilmore himself, Adam Sandler, as well as Christopher McDonald, who played the iconic villain Shooter McGavin. Most read in Film BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK 11 John Daly met up with Happy Gilmore star Adam Sandler during the premiere Credit: Getty 11 He was also pictured in a very friendly encounter with Christopher McDonald, who will reprise his iconic role of Shooter McGavin Credit: Getty Other golf stars set to make appearances in the film include Kansas City Chiefs star and Taylor Swift's partner Travis Kelce will also feature - as well as music star Bad Bunny as Happy's new caddy. Scottie Scheffler wins The Open and kisses wife Meredith in emotional celebrations 11 Adam Sandler will return to his role as Happy Gilmore after almost 30 years since the original Credit: Splash 11 He will be joined on the course in the film by Puerto Rican rapper and actor Bad Bunny Credit: Splash
Scottish Sun
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Paige Spiranac puts on busty display in see-through gown as Scheffler brings Claret Jug to Happy Gilmore 2 premiere
A collection of golfing royalty also made appearances at the event Happy days Paige Spiranac puts on busty display in see-through gown as Scheffler brings Claret Jug to Happy Gilmore 2 premiere PAIGE Spiranac almost stole the show from Open champ Scottie Scheffler at the premiere for Happy Gilmore 2. The golf influencer stunned in a figure-hugging see-through dress as she joined a host of celebrities in New York. Advertisement 11 Paige Spiranac stunned at the premiere for Happy Gilmore 2 in New York Credit: AP 11 Spiranac will have a cameo in the film, a sequel to the 1996 Adam Sandler cult classic Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 11 Spiranac posts golf themed pictures and videos and has over four million followers on Instagram Credit: Getty 11 Spiranac cameos in Happy Gilmore's trailer Credit: X @AdamSandler 11 She can be seen reacting after Happy destroys a golf simulator screen with his drive Credit: X @AdamSandler Spiranac, 32, makes a cameo in the film's trailer when Adam Sandler's character drives a ball through the screen on a virtual golf course. She has over four MILLION followers on Instagram and is sure to bring extra eyes to the film when it drops on Netflix on July 25th. Also in attendance at the premiere was world No1 Scheffler. The American, 29, arrived fresh from his victory at the Open Championship in Northern Ireland. Advertisement READ MORE ON GOLF CLOSE SHANE New footage shows Lowry's ball DID move as R&A release statement on controversy Scheffler had dominated the competition in the early stages and could not be caught, finishing four strokes ahead of second place Harris English. In tow was Scheffler's wife Meredith, as well as his prize from the Open, the prestigious Claret Jug. 11 Scottie Scheffler appeared at the premier with his Claret Jug in hand Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 11 The world No1 is set to make a cameo in the Netflix sequel Credit: The Mega Agency Advertisement Scheffler was not the only golfer in attendance, with golf icon John Daly mingling with Hollywood royalty at the event. Daly was seen palling around with Happy Gilmore himself, Adam Sandler, as well as Christopher McDonald, who played the iconic villain Shooter McGavin. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK 11 John Daly met up with Happy Gilmore star Adam Sandler during the premiere Credit: Getty Advertisement 11 He was also pictured in a very friendly encounter with Christopher McDonald, who will reprise his iconic role of Shooter McGavin Credit: Getty Other golf stars set to make appearances in the film include Rory McIlroy, Bryson DeChambeau and Justin Thomas. Kansas City Chiefs star and Taylor Swift's partner Travis Kelce will also feature - as well as music star Bad Bunny as Happy's new caddy. Scottie Scheffler wins The Open and kisses wife Meredith in emotional celebrations 11 Adam Sandler will return to his role as Happy Gilmore after almost 30 years since the original Credit: Splash Advertisement
Daily Mail
7 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Former cocaine-dealing caddie - who was barred from entering UK for The Open - misses out on six-figure payday
A caddie who was barred from entering the UK due to a 30-year-old cocaine conviction missed out on a six-figure payday at the Open. Eric Larson, the long-term caddie of American Harris English, was denied the chance to travel to Royal Portrush due to new UK restrictions on former criminals arriving from the United States. Larson spent more than 10 years behind bars three decades ago after dealing cocaine. English finished second at Portrush, four shots behind champion Scottie Scheffler following the final round on Sunday and took home a cheque for $1.76million (£1.3m). On the PGA Tour, caddies typically earn seven per cent of their player's winnings for a top-10 finish, meaning Larson would have been in line for nearly $125,000 (£93k). 'This is my second chance at life,' Larson told Mail Sport this week in his first in-depth exclusive interview since getting his ban. 'When I got out, I wanted to caddy again, I wanted to win golf tournaments, I wanted to caddy in the Ryder Cup, in the President's Cup, and I've done it all. 'My next goal is to win a major. Well, they took one of my goals away from me because of something for which I've paid my time. 'No one knows more than me how wrong I was to do what I did. But I did all the right things when I got out and, here I am, 20 years later, getting penalised for something I've already paid a heavy price.' English also finished second behind Scheffler at the PGA Championship, the previous major, and took home more than $1.4m (£1m). Larson, who was able to carry the bag that day, took home around $100,000. Larson and English have been together for more than eight years and won three PGA Tour events together – the Farmers Insurance Open in January that paid English $1.67m (£1.24m), the Travelers Championship in 2021 for $1.33m (£986k) and the Sentry Tournament of Champions that same year for $1.34m (£994k). When players win a tournament, caddies usually take 10 per cent of the prize money. That meant it was yet another huge payday for Scheffler's caddie Ted Scott, who took over the Open champion's bag in late 2021. Since 2021, Scheffler has earned just shy of £62m in tournament winnings. Scott will have picked up around $310,000 (£230,000) of Scheffler's first-place prize packet of $3.1m (£2.3m) at Royal Portrush, taking his season earnings alone to around £1.2m to £1.5m. Larson accused the UK Government of 'double standards' after he was refused entry but others with a criminal record were allowed to play at Portrush or at the Seniors Open this week. Ryan Peake, the Australian with a British passport - who joined a motorcycle gang and spent five years in one of the world's toughest prisons for his part in a baseball bat assault that left another man with a broken skull - played at Portrush. Angel Cabrera, the former Masters champion jailed for assault, theft and intimidation against former girlfriend, will play in the seniors at Sunningdale. 'I've got nothing against Ryan Peake, I think it's a great story, I'd support that in a heartbeat, but it seems like a double standard,' said Larson. 'If he's in there and Angel Cabrera gets to play in the seniors next week, why are their cases any different to mine? I'm a human being. This is my job, my livelihood. 'My case is 30 years ago. It's just strange how I've gone over there all these years with never a problem. And then all of a sudden, boom. I never thought for a second this would have been an issue.'
