President Trump Pardoned Caddie Eric Larson
The pardon allows the 66-year-old golf caddie to obtain travel authorization for professional tournaments in the United Kingdom.
Updated on Sept. 19, 2026 in Golf
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President Donald Trump signed a pardon on September 3, 2026, for Eric Larson, a golf caddie whose 1995 federal conviction for cocaine distribution prevented him from traveling abroad. The action resolves long-standing travel authorization denials that kept Larson from working at major golf events in the United Kingdom.
Why it matters
Larson was previously unable to secure entry to the United Kingdom due to its Electronic Travel Authorisation system requirements for visitors with criminal records. This pardon clears the path for him to resume his career as a professional caddie at international tournaments.
Eric Larson is 66 years old and served a 156-month prison sentence following a 1995 conviction. His professional golfer, Harris English, collected $1.8 million in prize money at the 2025 British Open, an event Larson missed due to travel restrictions.
The players
Donald Trump
Donald Trump is the current President of the United States who signed the pardon for Eric Larson.
Eric Larson
Eric Larson is a 66-year-old professional golf caddie who previously worked for Harris English.
Harris English
Harris English is a professional golfer who finished second at the 2025 British Open while working with Larson.
Justice Department
The Justice Department is the federal agency that processed the pardon application submitted by Larson.
The details
Larson applied for the pardon through the Justice Department by providing prison records and character references after being blocked from international competition in 2025 and 2026. The move effectively overrides the travel restrictions that had forced him to step away from his work alongside Harris English during recent overseas golf seasons.
Timeline
1995: Larson was convicted in a federal cocaine distribution case.
2025: Larson missed the British Open due to travel authorization denial.
September 3, 2026: President Donald Trump signed the pardon for Larson.
2026: Travel issues prevented Larson from attending the Scottish and British Opens.
Roadmap
The pardon highlights the intersection of international border security policies and the global mobility required for professional sports. It underscores how regulatory hurdles like the United Kingdom Electronic Travel Authorisation system can create significant barriers for personnel working in international circuits.
This pardon provides a clear path for Larson to resume international employment as a professional caddie, effectively removing the travel barriers that had stalled his career. It serves as a rare example of how high-level executive clemency can resolve specific logistical issues for individuals hindered by international visa and travel requirements.
The takeaway
The case illustrates how past legal convictions can have long-lasting impacts on international professional travel. It also highlights the specific legal mechanisms, such as presidential pardons, that can be used to resolve these international mobility obstacles.
Further reading
For more background on the professional tour, visit the Golf section.
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