WEST PALM BEACH — President Donald Trump pardoned PGA Tour caddie Eric Larson on September 3, clearing a federal cocaine conviction from three decades ago. The executive action restored the travel rights of the 66-year-old caddie, whose criminal record had previously blocked international movement.

The pardon followed a denial of Larson's application for UK travel authorization due to his criminal history. This administrative barrier prevented him from accompanying American golfer Harris English to the Scottish Open and The Open Championship. As a result of the absence, Larson missed approximately $126,000 in earnings from The Open tournament.

President Trump signed the pardon document on September 3 and personally called Larson and English to deliver the news. Larson said he was very fortunate and grateful, adding that he now had a chance.

Larson is the longtime caddie for Harris English, who is 37 years old. English voiced support for his employee following the presidential decision. He said he was just so pumped for Eric that he could have his rights back and travel to be by his side and work for him specifically at the Scottish Open and the British Open. English added that Larson knows what it’s like to have your freedom taken away and just brings so much joy.

The legal case originated from a 1995 conviction in the Western District of Michigan for conspiracy to distribute cocaine, according to U.S. Department of Justice clemency records. Larson pleaded guilty to the charge after obtaining cocaine in Florida and shipping it to friends and acquaintances across state lines. He stated he was never a cocaine user or major dealer, describing his crime as sending the substance to friends. A supplier turned him in, which Larson said resulted in a longer sentence.

In 1995, a federal judge sentenced Larson to 156 months in prison, five years of supervised release, and a $25,000 fine. He served 10 years and three months in prison before entering a halfway house. Larson was released from custody in 2006. Mark Calcavecchia hired Larson as a caddie after his release from prison.

The path to clemency involved personal connections formed through golf. Larson first met Trump through Anthony Kim. He played golf with Trump at his West Palm Beach club and discussed his travel restrictions with the former president during those rounds. Larson and English golfed with Trump in December at Trump National golf course in West Palm Beach.

Larson formally applied for clemency through the Justice Department's pardon process. He provided documents showing his prison work and letters vouching for him in the application. He said he had done all the right things since day one since his crime.

Harris English finished runner-up at The Open and collected $1.8 million while Larson remained in the United States. With the pardon secured, Larson looks toward future international competitions. He expects to return to Britain with Harris English in 2027 for the Scottish Open and The Open.

Why It Matters

The pardon resolves a specific barrier to international employment for a high-profile sports professional. The denial of UK travel authorization had directly impacted the financial earnings of both the caddie and the player during major championship events. The case illustrates how historical federal convictions continue to affect global mobility decades after sentence completion.

The involvement of the U.S. Department of Justice records confirms the legal basis for the original conviction and the subsequent clemency review. Larson's expectation to return to Britain in 2027 indicates that the pardon restores the practical ability to work at overseas tournaments. The event connects personal rehabilitation narratives with executive clemency powers in the context of professional sports logistics.

Timeline

Larson was sentenced in 1995 to 156 months in federal prison, five years of supervised release, and a $25,000 fine. Larson worked with Anthony Kim at the 2008 Ryder Cup.

Larson worked with Jeff Overton at the 2010 Ryder Cup. Larson was on Harris English's bag for the 2021 Ryder Cup. Larson and Harris English golfed with Trump in December at Trump National golf course in West Palm Beach.

What's New

Additional reporting identifies that Larson and Harris English golfed with Trump in December at Trump National golf course in West Palm Beach. Harris English is 37 years old. Larson obtained cocaine in Florida and shipped it to friends and acquaintances across state lines.

Larson received a longer sentence after a supplier turned him in. Larson is a native of Appleton, Wisconsin.

The U.S. Department of Justice's official clemency records identify Larson's case as a 1995 conviction in the Western District of Michigan for conspiracy to distribute cocaine. His sentence included 156 months in prison, five years of supervised release, and a $25,000 fine. Larson provided documents showing his prison work and letters vouching for him in his formal pardon application. Harris English said he was just so pumped for Eric that he could have his rights back and travel to be by his side and work for him specifically at the Scottish Open and the British Open. He knows what it’s like to have your freedom taken away. He just brings so much joy.