Over the past few weeks, Harris English has been forced to develop several important backup plans that may be needed this week. It doesn't matter, he still won the open championship together.
The British fired under 67 at Royal Prothush in Northern Ireland on Thursday, giving him a five-line tie in the first game after opening day.
“I look forward to coming this week and after attending the course, I really like it.” “I love how it forms a tee and you'll see more trouble than regular link classes.”
The fact that he does this with a backup caddy- Technically speakinghis backup backup – made his seven bird race even more impressive. The British long-time caddie Eric Larson was denied entry into the UK for a previous drug conviction. In 1995, he was sentenced to 13 years in federal prison, only over 10 years, and returned to Caddying on the PGA Tour. (He worked for Mark Calcavecchia before and after jail and spent some time with Anthony Kim and Jeff Overton.
But despite decades of faith, new travel regulations for Americans visiting the UK make it difficult for Larson to go abroad at last week’s Genesis Scottish Open and this week’s Open Championship. Larson attempted to exempt the electronic travel authorization visa rules – applicants can refuse entry if they serve 12 months or more in prison – but despite efforts from English, PGA Tour and R&A, there was no luck.
What was the biggest surprise of Thursday’s Open Championship?
GolfEdit
Joe Etter cheered on English at the Scottish Open (they tied for 22nd), but Etter was back on the bag of his regular player Davis Thompson this week. This means English calls on his putting coach Ramon Bescansa. They worked together for about twelve years on his putts and brief matches.
“He's the plan B in the book,” said English. “Obviously, Eric hopes to come this week. That's not resolved. Davis Thompson started opening at the last minute, so Joe can't play for me anymore. Ramon is good enough to come from Spain and the players. [Ancer] On a trip to LIV. He made a lot of contributions to me in Canada a few years ago, so he knew anyone on my game and on my team. He is the perfect character to come to CADDY this week. ”
There were no complaints on Thursday.
The British had three of his first four games and turned around with 33-shots below 33.
English ranked fifth in stroke: kickoff, 14th in SG: Putter.
“Every player or caddie has a different rhythm for what they like. Luckily for Ramon, he's been working with me for a long time, watching me play, watching me hit the ball, so he knows what I like, and I feel like we kind of pull it out of the door,” English said. “These practice rounds really worked hard and were very happy with how he provided the information.
“But it's different. Eric has been for me for eight years, nine years, and now, you've gotten used to a person who's doing everything he does, from the little things he puts on Sharp and marks, he always has TITE in his pocket, only small things. You've gotten used to it.
English, now 35, has won five championships on the PGA Tour – most recently this year's Farmers Insurance Open – but remains his first major title. He has four top 10 in 34 games, most recently in this year's Masters, where he was runner-up.