[Golf] Australia Bans Entry for Anthony Kim`s Caddie

Korean-American golfer Anthony Kim, 24, was forced to get a replacement caddie in the Johnnie Walker Classic that opened yesterday.

Kim went to Australia to join the tournament with regular caddie Eric Larson, but Australian immigration authorities refused Larson’s entry.

Larson returned to the United States and Kim had to get a replacement.

Larson was convicted in 1995 for selling cocaine and spent 11 years in prison. He was released in 2006 for good behavior and began caddying for Kim in October 2007.

Larson also caddied for 1989 British Open champion Mark Calcavecchia.

He was reportedly refused entry because he failed to declare his criminal conviction in the United States.

Despite the abrupt replacement, Kim finished 19th in the first round at three under. Robert-Jan Derksen of the Netherlands took the lead at eight under-64.

kjs0123@donga.com