Richard Kaufman interview: Sports commentator talks coronavirus, life at home, favourite players and more

As someone used to travelling the world the current situation must be particularly difficult to get to grips with...

Like everyone else, I am grounded. Of course, I take my job seriously but I am a sports broadcaster. My brother in law is a doctor. Every day he is going to work right now, he is putting himself and his family at risk.

Admittedly, my perspective has taken a little while to evolve. I have a had a few months already to adjust to this. The first time I heard about coronavirus was when I was in Hong Kong in January. Even though I was so close to China, I was very dismissive of the issue. It hardly registered, even though in the hotel I was staying in, there was a sign on reception saying what to do if you felt really unwell.

The first job I lost was in February. I was supposed to be in the Sky studio for the LPGA Honda from Thailand. Around the same time, the Maybank Championship in Malaysia and the Volvo China Open got pulled.

The last tournament I attended was the Malaysia Open on the Asian Tour at the start of March. I was supposed to be going from there to the European Tour events in Kenya and India. On the Friday of Malaysia, I got a call saying all international events in Kenya were banned.

Flying back from Malaysia, you could see what was happening. Doha airport where I made my connection was deserted. This hub which is normally buzzing with noise and activity was empty. I knew the next call was coming to say India was off too.

Tell us about what life is like as a freelance journalist and just how big an impact this has upon it?

Huge and I say that without looking for sympathy. As a father of five, living in London, my outgoings are pretty big. My income is completely culled. From a good wage, to nothing.

I have had many dark moments and periods of gloom and despair. And I don’t mean this to come across badly but when I was among the few seeing everything slip away, I felt a little cursed. Now the whole country is being impacted, it has been a little comforting at least in the sense that I am not alone. Banks, for example, are showing a little more understanding when I ring them compared with a few weeks prior.

What had you got lined up for the coming weeks and months?

When all my work in April disappeared in advance, I got busy ringing and e-mailing other broadcasters that I cover other sports for. I had not made up the work I had lost but April was looking decent again with lots of football in particular. We all know what happened next. Back to zero!

Tournaments in May have already gone, like the LET event in Sotogrande and the Maekyung Open in Korea, and I see no end to it. I had a packed diary through to the end of the year. It is emptying fast. Last week I found out with everyone else that the Olympics is put back a year - I was due to be doing the world feed golf commentary in Japan. I was also supposed to be at the Czech Masters for Sky Sports the same month, so even as far ahead as August, most of the work is gone.

What measures do you think golf’s main tours will have to consider when it comes to returning, whenever that may be?

The problem is we have no end date here. Golf needs global travel. Take the Volvo China Open as an example. Now, there is a chance by June that China may be in a position to host the tournament given the way the number of cases have dwindled there. But at that point, Europe could still be in a bad place. The Chinese authorities will not want us coming into the country and possibly opening up the next wave of the pandemic.

It is going to be very complicated. We will hopefully have this testing kit which will tell us if we have had the virus. There is a chance that those who haven’t yet contracted the virus will be told they cannot travel. I have a feeling we will not get back to any kind of normality until at least the beginning of September. And I have read from scientists there is a chance it could re-emerge around November. (I am trying to be optimistic, honestly!)

There are two ways the main tours could go with this.

First, have some double headers. This would work best on the European Tour, as you could have one event in Asia and one in Europe and there would be no conflicting times for television schedules. It would obviously not work so well in the USA.

The week of The Masters, if for example that takes place in October, you could also have an event in Europe or Asia. This gives all the categories on the European Tour playing opportunities. Obviously, the further complication is how this sits with sponsors who may not wish to share their social media impact and other reach with another event, especially one so all-consuming. But I assume it would be a reassuring way to show they are ready and open for business. Inevitably, there will be some sponsors who may not be able to prioritise the spend of a golf tournament.

On top of that, the main tours should be considering a wrap-around season, so that the Race to Dubai, FedEx Cup, the Road to Mallorca and Race to Costa del Sol along with other tours go through to a conclusion in 2021. I cannot see much of an alternative to this - the Asian Tour CEO has already hinted at extending into 2021 and others will surely follow suit.

Are you aware of any suggestion that any/some of the Far Eastern tours – Asian, Korean in particular – might be moving towards a place when they can consider planning to resume?

I know the PGA Tour China a few weeks ago sent something out to their members hinting at a June return but there are added complexities. That tour, for example, may make it open only to Chinese nationals or residents until Europe and the USA reach a safer point.

Do you think the coronavirus will materially affect your job beyond the pandemic itself?

This is pure speculation from me but I can see a scenario in the future where the nature of my job changes. With environmental concerns and what's happening now, I can see the day when nearly all the productions and nearly all the commentary is done remotely. Not for the big events, like the majors but certainly run of the mill events.

So, the producer, director and most of the production crew are sat in London or wherever and the only people from TV on site are engineers and cameramen and women, along with the on-course commentator and interviewer. This would save production costs in terms of savings on hotels, flights for the crew, and so on. Plus it would reduce the carbon footprint of the production.

From a personal point of view, I think it would hamper my commentating abilities as I would not have had a chance to look at the course apart from virtually. And I would not be able to walk up and talk to players and get the stories I feel add to the broadcast. But I do feel the positives of such a move would outweigh the negatives.

Has work stopped entirely for you or have you found other avenues and opportunities? What’s life at home like for the time being?

Yes and no. I have no paid income right now. My wife runs a bookkeeping business. Like everyone else, she is affected but still has work. So, my main focus is to try and run the house as well as possible, so she can do the work she needs to do. Three of my children are at school age, so they need help with the home schooling. I have elderly parents and my two sisters have been self isolating. So, I have tried to what I can for my mum and dad, so they don’t leave home.

For someone who spends half the year travelling, this is a good opportunity in bad circumstances to give some quality time to the people I care for most. I have to say it's all a lot more tiring than sitting on your backside talking golf for the day!

As for other work, since late last year, my wife and I have been working on an e-commerce business. It has been hard for me to find the appropriate time to do my part. Obviously, I have no real excuses to not weigh in now. My main role will be PR and social media marketing. So, I have been working on that at every opportunity. I am learning a lot as I would definitely not consider it my forte. My aim is to make sure when I eventually get back to the day job, I have everything in place to help make the business a success.

I might do a bit more writing, too. I would suggest I am a better broadcaster than writer but have interviewed two of the LET’s rising stars this week for the Sky Sports website.

What do you miss most about your job specifically?

Everything. I know I am blessed with what I do. I love it. I miss the sport. I miss the research. I miss the interactions, the camaraderie, being on air and the laughs.

What's been your favourite tournament to commentate on?

The Open in 1996 - I was more of a reporter than commentator though. It was the first major I worked at. I interviewed Seve my first day on the job after he had walked off the course playing a practise round with a certain Sergio Garcia. I also remember interviewing Bob Charles, Paul McGinley, Nick Price and Frank Carson. It was cracker - not a bad way to start!

And what about watching as a fan?

Jack Nicklaus winning The Masters in 1986 and the noise coming through the television. Magical.

What's your favourite memory from the commentary box?

Commentating on Anna Nordqvist’s hole-in-one at the 2013 Solheim Cup. The European team performance that week was extraordinary.

Where in the world is your favourite place to travel to?

This is such a tough one. I love so many of the places we get to go to. I love the views at Evian, the weather and food of Thailand, and I loved the vibe at both tournaments I covered last year in Kenya.

Who is your favourite person to work with?

This is an even worse question than the travelling one as I genuinely enjoy working with so many, but I will have a stab even though I will now mention half the people I work with...

I am at my most relaxed commentating with Dom Boulet and Alison Whitaker. Dom is Mr Asian Tour, no ego and knows everything about the tour and the people. Ali is such a hard worker and talented commentator. When we commentate on the LET, I know we have each other’s backs covered.

When I’m in Europe, John E. Morgan and Gary Murphy make me laugh most. But I think the best on-course commentator I work with is Jamie Spence. And the commentator I pinch myself when I am sitting next to her, is Dame Laura Davies.

What's your favourite golf course?

This will probably annoy you Ben but the DLF in India is growing on me! I loved it when I went to Pebble Beach and stood by the Pacific Ocean, too, but if I have to choose one it has to be St Andrews for all the obvious reasons.

And who is your favourite golfer?

Seve. Don’t think I need to elaborate on that one.

What about interviewee?

I loved the opportunity to sit with so many golf stars for my The Round Golf Podcast. I couldn’t believe how generous so many could be with their time. It's hard to pick one but I'll separate them into categories:

• Surprised me most (because I thought I knew it all) – John E. Morgan
• Hardest to steer – Gary Player
• Made me cry the most – Marc Cayeux
• Easiest to interview – Laura Davies
• Most patient (this may surprise some) – Cristie Kerr (we had a bit of a technical nightmare!)

In terms of commentators you look up to, is there one who stands out?

Barry Davies is the yardstick. I aim to reach his level but know I won’t when it comes to commentary. I find it so hard to keep my mouth shut sometimes! Barry knew when to talk, sounded in control, knowledgeable, got excited at the right time with a wonderful use of words. And this was whether he was working on football, hockey, the Boat Race... just a master of his craft.

What about a pundit?

Graeme Souness. In his mid-60s, he is still relevant and opinionated. He was a regular to come on to my Talksport show many years ago and was always great to speak to then.

What's your biggest love outside of golf?

Easy - family and Fulham.

Who's your biggest fan?

My mum and dad.

Do you have a big regret?

Not really, to be honest. I am ambitious and there have been a number of times in my career I have felt unfulfilled and desperate to do more. I just consider that normal.

Although having an insurance that protects against coronavirus would have been handy!

Is there a mistake which stands out?

Saying Mikko Ilonen when Mikko Korhonen won the Shot Clock Masters. That kept me up for a few nights. But it will have been a good career if that stays at number one...

What's the best recent innovation you've seen in golf?

Technical innovations, I’m the wrong person to ask. I am not into gadgets.

I have though been impressed with the R&A and their attempts to modernise the rules of golf. Of course, they didn’t get everything right and I am intrigued to see where the distance debate goes over the next few years.

Give us a feel-good story...

Hinako Shibuno’s Women’s British Open victory last year. There may be some recency bias to that choice but given it beats Tiger’s win at the Masters and Europe at the Solheim Cup in 2019, it is a strong candidate for me.

Her manner, the surprise nature of her victory, the excitement of the back nine. She smiled and you couldn’t help smile with her. It had been a tough week personally after Gordan Brand Jr passed away the Wednesday before. I know he would have loved it.

What's the best tournament for a fan to attend?

Believe it or not, I don’t think golf is the best sport to watch in person. There may be some self interest here but I think tournament radio would assist fans. With 18 holes to watch, you can be eight rows back alongside the fairway, or sat in one grandstand with just a green and a tee box to see.

You want to know what is going on, the context of what you are watching, and the radio gives you that. I know it is a cost factor but given the money sponsors pay for an event, it would be a drop in the ocean for most.

How about some players whose careers you're looking forward to following…

• First, Joo Hyung Kim (also known as 'Tom'!)...

I have never seen someone that young look so assured and be so consistent. And he is such a lovely kid. If the start of his career is anything to go by, he has an exciting future.

• Rasmus and Nicolai Hojgaard...

A couple of years ago at the 2018 Open, I was walking the course when I saw Thorbjorn Olesen. He was playing with someone I didn’t recognise and had one of those 'who is that!?' moments when I saw him hit the ball. It was Nicolai Hojgaard.

I had a brief chat with his dad, talking about the brothers. Rasmus was on the course with them too. As a result, I kept a close on eye on both of them when I could and I wasn’t surprised when I saw Rasmus win in Mauritius. I had gone out on the course in Mallorca to watch him play a few holes in the Challenge Tour event a few weeks earlier and he's special. They both are.

• Julia Engstrom...

If she can putt better - and I have interviewed her this week and she told me it is something she is working hard on - then she has every other attribute to become one of the world’s best players in the next five years. I was so pleased to see her get her first win in Australia after what happened at the end of last year in Kenya.

Three people you’d love to share a four-ball with…

Michael Parkinson, Ricky Gervais and Aleksander Mitrovic.

Have you any advice for aspiring commentators?

Don’t give up, work hard and be yourself.

Finally, two shots you'll never forget...

In person - it's a bit random this one - Beatriz Recari holing out from 100 yards or more in a play-off to win the Finnair Masters.

On television, either Tiger’s chip at Augusta or Costantino Rocca’s putt at St Andrews.

And one thing you've done you're most proud of...

Most of my work is disposable; live broadcasts are history once the day is over. As a collection of work, I suppose it has to be my podcast, The Round Golf Podcast. It has not benefited me financially but I would hope some of those interviews will still be a great listen in 10 years’ time.

The Round Golf Podcast: Our favourite episodes

1. Scott Hend
2. Mel Reid
3. Matt Southgate
4. Karrie Webb
5. Jeev Milkha Singh

Listen to them all on iTunes