February 14, 2022 • 57 mins
As we kick off a new Golf Season for 2022, change is afoot in Europe. The European Tour rebrands itself the DP World Tour, increasing prize money across the board for its players. The Ladies European Tour (LET) is fresh off of a thrilling Solheim Cup performance and appears to be in the ascendancy from years previous.
Joining us is our special guest Richard Kaufman, the SkySports golf commentator covering both the DP World Tour and the LET. In this episode, we discuss the increasing money that is coming into Golf, and particularly the men's game from Saudi Arabia. Potential Ryder Cup captains are also a topic for discussion as Richard runs down his list of potential candidates for Captain of the European team, including Luke Donald, Paul Lawrie, Henrik Stenson, Lee Westwood and others.
On the women's side, we look at the abundance of young talented players coming through the ranks in European golf with players such as Pia Babnik, Chiara Noja, and Lily May Humphries among others. There are some compelling story lines from other players such as Becky Brewerton and Julia Engstrom as they look to rebound from injuries to recapture their form and their status on the LET.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Douglas Maida (00:29):
Hello, good afternoon. Welcome to our
podcast show. We're talkinggolf, our shows produced by the
world of golf, and I'm yourhost, Douglas Maida. Our guest
for today's show is RichardKaufman. Richard is a golf
commentator with Sky Sports.
SkySports is based in the UnitedKingdom, and covers primarily
the LET -- Ladies European Tour,and the DP World Tour, or what
(00:53):
used to be known as the men'sEuropean tour. On occasion he
also covers football, or what wecall soccer in North America and
Australia. Richard is joining usfrom North London where he lives
with his family. He is joiningus via zoom. And before we
introduce him, we wish toapologize because we've been
experiencing connectivityproblems, leading to some delays
(01:15):
and interruptions in ourconversation. However, we
decided to proceed and try tomake the best of the situation.
So we thank you for yourpatience and understanding as
the show goes on. Now before weget to our guest, we have to
take a short commercial break ormessages for our sponsors.
Richard Kaufman (01:38):
Today's show is being recorded from our studio
(02:25):
in beautiful Vancouver, BritishColumbia. We are produced by the
world of golf and you can findus on the worldwide web at
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(02:47):
of the top 40 PGA and LPGA golfpodcasts to follow. Now, back to
our show. Here is your host,Douglas Maida.
Douglas Maida (02:58):
We're back. Thank you for staying with us. Now
without any further ado, wewould like to extend a big
welcome to our guest, RichardKaufman. Welcome to the show,
Richard.
Richard Kaufman (03:07):
Pleasure to be here, Hi Douglas.
Douglas Maida (03:11):
So tell me, Richard, where are you based?
And how much travel do you windup doing -- covering all those
Golf tours like that?
Richard Kaufman (03:21):
Well, it's been a bit strange actually, because
of the pandemic, obviously,things have changed a little
bit. So I'm based in NorthLondon. And I would say
normally, I'm away from myfamily about six months of the
year, you know, not always infaraway lands, but quite a bit
in Asia and Europe, andsometimes in the United Kingdom,
and obviously not at home. Butwhen the pandemic struck in the
(03:46):
early part of 2020. For example,I was in Malaysia at the time,
and I got a call from myproducer to tell me I wouldn't
be going to Kenya the week laterbecause the border had closed
and the tournament would nolonger go ahead. And that the
trip to India was still goingahead but come home would go to
India from there, then theIndian border closed while I was
(04:06):
back in London. And thensuddenly my family saw me at
home pretty much for six monthswithout stepping too far outside
the front door. By the timeAugust, September came around
and eventually started doinggolf tournaments again, they
were quite happy to kick me outthe front door.
Douglas Maida (04:21):
So it was a matter of saying thanks, dad,
but no more. Thanks. Good to seeyou, Good Bye and get back to
work.
Richard Kaufman (04:28):
Yeah, absence makes the heart grow fonder. And
you know, they my family justused to that's the way it's
always been. So it was tricky.
You know, it was lovely in a wayto have that time I would quite
say was quality time because itwasn't like we could go out and
do anything but it was just niceto be at home.
Douglas Maida (04:47):
So Richard, how long have you been with Sky
Sports?
Richard Kaufman (04:50):
Well, it's it's not a simple question to answer.
I've been on Sky Sports manymany years but as a part, I
would say officially a part, oftheir commentary team. I'd say
it's maybe five or six years.
But for a long time before thata lot of the golf tournaments
that I would cover during Worldfeed, or as other companies do,
(05:12):
Ladies European Tour of theAsian Tour, would go on Sky
Sports as they probably would doon your network that the covers
golf in Canada in North America,like the Golf Channel, but as
official part of the coventryteam and sky the last five or
six years.
Douglas Maida (05:29):
So what is your background in golf? How did you
come to the sport? And how didyou -- Is there a little story
that you have that maybeconnected you to the sport or
anything like that?
Richard Kaufman (05:42):
Golfers and I've grown up playing the game,
loving the game loving allsport, I used to play cricket,
rugby, golf, football, tennis,unfortunately, never at a level
where I threatened to be aprofessional, of course, like a
lot of youngsters dreamed ofdoing that. And then when it
(06:02):
came to starting a career, Ikind of was gonna go two fields,
one would have been in comedy,because I comedy and actually
that put me in really good steadfor I do because when you fail
at stand up comedy, which I did,quite spectacularly, nothing
will frighten you about being infront of a microphone, or in
(06:24):
front of a camera. If you'regetting booed on stage, trying
to make people laugh. You're setfor life, really nothing else
can intimidate you. So I waseither gonna go to comedy or
sport.
The first job I ever got, once Ifinished my studies was, I think
you should be aware of because Iknow traveled transatlantic and
there was a Canadian programWhose Line Is It Anyway? -- that
(06:45):
if you remember that improvshow, Ryan Stiles was in it,
Shane, Clive Anderson was thehost and I was a runner on
there. So I was getting everyonetheir sandwiches and picking up
their dirty clothes or whateverelse might be laying around,
making sure it was fed, got allthe drinks they wanted, and was
part of the production for that.
Simultaneously, at the weekend,I worked for the big London
(07:08):
station, Radio Station doingfootball. So I decided which one
I felt I was flourishing bestat, and it was the sport. And it
wasn't until about three yearsinto my sort of broadcasting
career that I got my break doingGolf which was in 1996. I worked
(07:29):
for ITN Radio. So it's the kindof the independent network that
opposes the BBC in the UK. Andthey had a radio network to all
the independent radio stationsacross the country. And I've sat
there a couple of months intothe job there where we'd cover
football matches and they saidDoes anyone want to cover the
(07:50):
golf tournament? There's the PGAChampionship at Wentworth. I put
my hand up and nobody else did.
And so began my time in golf. Iturned up at Wentworth in those
days, you had a big taperecorder, and I stood behind the
18th green and if you go therenow I was at the PGA
Championship at Wentworth doingthe TV in September and change
(08:15):
but this huge hospitality standsnow there's a big BMW car right
in the stands as well wherepeople can actually sit in;
then there was nothing behindthe 18th green I stood there on
the I think it was the Tuesdayor the Wednesday before the
tournament. I dumped down all mystuff, picked up the tape
recorder machine I had firstperson that was walking off the
(08:38):
18th Green was somebody who justput on a green jacket a month
earlier Nick Faldo, Sir Nickbecause he likes to obviously be
called now and asked him to doan interview. And that was my
first interview in golf withNick Foudy ahead of the PGA
Championship. And I suppose therest as they say is history.
That was me working in golf forthe very first time.
Douglas Maida (08:59):
Wow, that's quite the story, because he would have
been fresh coming off that whenat the Masters with Greg Norman
in that category, it was fiveshots or six shots, made up.
Richard Kaufman (09:09):
Six shots, but he I mean, the turnaround was in
double figures in the endbecause Nick won by quite a few
it.
Douglas Maida (09:16):
Yeah, yeah, he's, I've read something. He's a . .
.
Richard Kaufman (09:19):
Remember. who actually won day. Go ahead. Go
ahead.
Douglas Maida (09:23):
I was gonna say, I had read something that he had
mentioned that. He wasn't sureif he was gonna be able to make
back that difference in strokesbecause of the lead. But he said
as soon as he got to the courseand saw Greg, working out a new
grip for Sunday, he figured"Whoa, I got a shot."
Richard Kaufman (09:38):
Now it's one of the most incredible turnarounds
And one of my greatest memorieswas that Open Championship
until of course, Jordan Spaethhad his favorite, the 12th A
few. It was incredible. Then Idid my first Open Championship
and it's incredible and I, youknow, the years go by, none of
us feel old. In our heads we'reall still youngsters, but when I
was at Wentworth field Monthsago covering the PGA
(10:01):
Championship. It was great fun.
I was in the featured groupswith Sam Torrance, and a great
team that week. And I realizedit'd be 25 years since I've
covered my first golf tournamentthat and suddenly, I felt very
old. And I know the gray hairsattached to it, but it does show
there's been, you know, I did myfirst open that year at Royal
(10:21):
St. Annes.
because again, I interviewed afew people that week, Bob
Charles, when I got there, NickPrice, but after interviewing
them, I watched this Spanish guywalking off with this young kid,
(10:41):
and it was Seve Ballasteros. Hewas one of my heroes growing up,
asked him for an interview andhad this youngster standing
right by him. They just playedhe just won the Amateur
Championship -- his name isSergio Garcia, and I spoke to
savvy for two and a halfminutes. I've no idea now I wish
I could somehow get hold of thatinterview. No idea what I asked
(11:01):
it can't remember what he said.
All I remember is, I'm sonervous. And he was so charming
and lovely. And yeah, that was aroll of the dice. And as with
Tom Lehman, won the OpenChampionship, but yeah, that's
25 years ago now.
Douglas Maida (11:15):
Yeah, well, geez, time flies. Let's get to another
question here. What has beenyour most memorable experience
with the DP tour?
Richard Kaufman (11:28):
Well, I mean, I've mentioned a few already
really? Well, I mean, there's afew there's, there's moments
like that, you know, for someonewhen it's new, it's all fresh
and most exciting in a way, butI still love it now as much as I
did that back then I was justdoing reports and interviewing.
And now I feel like I'm moreimmersed in the toilet because
(11:50):
I'm the Lead commentator. Andthe first time I did my first
lead commentary on Sky Sportswas the South African Open in
2005. And that was verymemorable for me obviously doing
that to Henrik Stenson, it wasone of his comebacks when he won
there.
I was at Tiger Woods won the USOpen by I think was 12 shots or
(12:14):
13 shots -- should remembershouldn't I off the top of my
head? By this time, I wasworking for a national radio
station in the United KingdomTalk Sport, I was there golf
correspondent. So I wascommentating with a few of the
guys I still work with at SkySports. And that same year, I
was at St. Andrews when Tigerwon the Open Championship and
(12:36):
that the field then as well. Soto see Tiger in his prime, you
know, PGA Championship and hetook on Bob Mae in the playoff,
I got to see Tiger,I got tospeak to Tiger at Firestone, in
Ohio to the World GolfChampionship which was down the
road for me here as well, in abushy in North London. So I got
to see Tiger in his prime.
(12:56):
So those are probably thestandout memories going back a
decade or so you know, beingpart of seeing greatness. And
obviously those first steps intobeing an elite commentator. And
then it's just the jet, youknow, camaraderie, you know,
just as recently I was doing theSpanish Open on the on the
European Tour now the DP WorldTour. And it had been a while
(13:18):
since we were allowed out --know, when we were covering
tournament's in the early partof the pandemic, It was golf
course hotel room, you had toorder in, you weren't allowed
out. And yet we went to Madriddid the Spanish Open. And it was
from the part of the Coventryteam that week was Mark Rowe.
(13:39):
And, Rick of course, playedmajors DP World Tour, and just
having a glass of sangria,grabbing some food, stories, you
know, hearing their stories, youknow that that's what it's all
about. But you know, theexperience of sort of your
extended family away from homeon the on the Golf Tour, it's
(14:00):
it's a, it's a fabulousexperience. I pinch myself so
many times that I'm doing it Ilove every minute of it. And
yeah, I'm one of the who lovestheir job and loves what they're
doing.
Douglas Maida (14:12):
Yeah, those are quite some experiences to, to
hold on to there with Tiger inhis prime and whatnot and, and
meeting Seve and, you know,Europe's a little bit smaller
than North America so you canget to some of these events a
little bit easier and whatnot.
So
Richard Kaufman (14:26):
Yeah, I mean, I think I've been covered over the
events, quite a few of the bigevents in the United States.
I've never been to the Masters,mentioned just before that I I
worked for TALKSPORT nationalradio station in the United
Kingdom, and we pretended to beat the Masters. And I'll never
forget, there was one time I'mbasically in this broom cupboard
(14:49):
-- I can't call it any more thanthem in this room, no windows. I
mean, South West London, and I'mdoing updates from the Masters
and in those days of There wasno featured whole coverage, the
internet had just started. Sothere was nothing more than a
leaderboard in the morning. SoI'm saying, you know, Tiger is
(15:09):
off to a great start is barelythe first three, Nick Price is
two behind, you know, just thegeneral things any minute
broadcast anyway then did thenext broadcast and I pretty much
said the same thing. And then Iwent to do the next broadcast.
And I'd noted that at the top ofthe page, it says "play delayed
because of thunderstorms."And I hadn't realized this for
about an hour because all I amis stuck in my broom cupboard.
(15:31):
You know, no Twitter in thosedays, no social media, nothing
to suggest other than thislittle blue line at the top of
the screen saying the play wassuspended because of
thunderstorms. So yeah, one ofmy goals is, because I've been
to all the other Majors, is tois to one day go to Augusta
National that would befantastic.
Douglas Maida (15:49):
For sure. Richard DP World Tour, we've known it as
the European tour for years now.
What's the rationale and thebenefit of that changeover? Can
you maybe share a little bit ofthat with our listeners
Richard Kaufman (16:07):
it's called the DP World Tour now because
basically it's the tour titlehas a sponsorships so DP World
is Dubai port world, who freightcompany, you know, delivering
stuff all around the world. Andthey have sponsored the European
Tour. So it's a financial andsecurity for the European tour
(16:31):
which this year celebrating its50th on air. I know I'm going to
get it wrong. I've already gotit wrong on air. I've caught it
European Tour, I have my wristslapped for it. The DP World
Tour now is basically is theEuropean Tour.
The benefits of it are what Imentioned there as it's
financial provides security, youknow, the European Tour during
(16:53):
the pandemic did a fantastic jobof propping up events. There are
sponsors of course, that wereaffected. So basically provides
the security for the Tour duringthe pandemic. Obviously, the
European Tour as it was then wasvery much effective. But they
were playing for some reducedprice fun. There was a lot of
(17:16):
tournament's that were just amillion Euro. So this title
sponsorship has allowed KeithPelley and his team to make sure
that the minimum prize fund forevery DP World Tour event in
2022, and for the extension ofthe sponsorship over the next
few years, is 2 million Euros,$2 million minimum for each
(17:38):
event. Prize funds in generalhave gone up. I noted they
announced it that the FrenchOpen which will be at the
Kauffman se announced Septemberfrom last year the price fund
has doubled. So it's that's whatit is. It's just a change of
name. It's still very much thesame tour with very much the
(17:59):
same tournament's but with afinancial security.
Douglas Maida (18:03):
Right. Okay, well, that makes sense. That
makes sense. Are you catchingany scuttlebutt, discussion or
hearing things from the players?
I mean, has it been generallywell received? Or?
Richard Kaufman (18:15):
Yeah, but the players are absolutely delighted
the rank and file if you likethe players that aren't in the
big tournament, the players thatwon't be popping across the pond
to play the PGA Tour, or theWorld Golf Championship events,
seeing their prize funds, insome cases double? Well, I mean,
what player is not going to behappy about that. I mean,
(18:35):
there's a lot going on, in thefinances of golfers right now.
There has been other parties whohave tried to get involved with
the golfing world, it has nowbeen this collaboration that's
been strengthened between thePGA Tour and the European Tour.
So this year, for the firsttime, the DP World Tour, and the
PGA Tour coming together forthree events, one of them's in
(18:57):
Europe at the Scottish Open, andtwo of them are in America for
the Barracuda championship atthe Barbasol Championship, which
coincide obviously, with some ofthe big events of the majors
that have been happening in theStates as well. So further
opportunities for the rank andfile players from the European
tour to even play events in theUnited States.
(19:18):
At the same time, other playersare being offered, it seems
barrow loads of money to go andplace it play elsewhere. Then
have you seen this recordingtoday's Daily Telegraph that
came out in the last few hoursthat Ian Poulter has been
offered between $20 and $30million upfront to play the
(19:40):
Saudi Golf League. I believe thepackage was quoted in the
newspaper if I remember rightlyat $55 million in total for him
to assume that over a number ofyears, but he would have to
sacrifice as a result one wouldassume playing in the Ryder Cup
in 2023 and also being apotential Ryder Cup Captain if
(20:02):
that was the case, so there's alot going on. There's a lot of
talk amongst the golfers much ofthe broadcast as amongst the
tours of what's happening. Buton the one side, you've got a
great job that the DP World Tourhave been doing in securing
events, increasing the prizefund. And at the same time,
there's this hesitancy overwhat's going on. And obviously,
(20:25):
Money talks and players, someplayers heads will be turned,
there's no doubt about it.
Douglas Maida (20:30):
You mentioned the 20 to 30 million. Is that in US
dollars,
Richard Kaufman (20:34):
That's US dollars. Yeah. Okay.
Douglas Maida (20:37):
And was that 20 to 30 million? You said . . . I
understand from what you said,was just appearance money --
just show up.
Richard Kaufman (20:44):
It's an upfront to commit.
Douglas Maida (20:46):
Okay so and it was up for all of their season
or just a few events?
Richard Kaufman (20:51):
I don't know. I think it would i I'm making
assumptions here. I don't know Iassume to commit to the league
for a number of years.
Douglas Maida (21:01):
I see. I see.
Which would then automaticallypick them out of the running
then for Ryder Cup events in thefuture.
Richard Kaufman (21:07):
Don't if you noticed that we're talking
obviously the Ryder Cupcaptaincy is up for grabs, and
it looks at the moment is ifit's between Robert Karlson,
Henrik Stenson, and Luke Donald,although I saw someone throwing
Paul Lawrie's name into perhapstoday as well. Lee Westwood
decided not to put himselfforward which was a bit of
surprise. Henrik Stenson is oneof those that may be loaded with
(21:34):
money elsewhere. So there's allthis that is going on? I would
be surprised if Stenson wasoffered the job personally, I
I've think from hearing fromwhat Padraig Harrington said,
and bear in mind, the Ryder Cupcaptain is picked by the CEO of
the DP World Tour, which isKeith Pelley the players
(21:57):
committee representative, whichwould be David Howe and the past
three Ryder Cup captains, whichof course Padraig Harrington
would be one of those. And hehas the backing looked on for
that. But we shall see the areasof greater little by what's
going on elsewhere,unfortunately, because I do so
(22:18):
unfortunately, because golf isif you look at the PGA tour
right now, you look at the DPWorld Tour right now. They
couldn't be in healthier spots,could they? I mean, look at the
young talent. You look at theworld's top 15 right now, in the
world rankings. You know, it'sfantastic. If you look at the
talent, it's emerged on theChallenge Tour as well. It's
(22:38):
fantastic as well. Butobviously, other people want a
piece of the pie. And I don'tknow about you, Douglas but if
someone said to me, "You'redoing a great job when I'm
hearing you. I'd like to makeyou secure for life by offering
you something else" -- you'd bewilling to listen, wouldn't you?
(22:58):
Human instinct, some might say,and do they actually need more?
Well, I suppose that's down toindividuals to decide, isn't it?
Douglas Maida (23:06):
Pretty heady stuff going on. Richard, what
are some of the things that youwould be on the lookout for are
some things to watch storylines,players, things like that for
2022.
Richard Kaufman (23:19):
Yeah, it disappointing in a way there was
no Q School for the DP WorldTour for 2022. It is later on
and there was for the LadiesEuropean Tour. And of course,
there was Q series for the LPGATour. But there wasn't so in
terms of new talent comingthrough with pretty much reliant
on those that have come throughthe Challenge Tours of top 20 on
(23:41):
the Challenge Tour, securedtheir cards for 2022 on the DP
World Tour. The number oneplayer on that was a Dane,
Marcus Helligkilde who won thefinal event last four months is
is not what can I say a flashyplayer he's a very solid player
(24:02):
is not one that's going to justthrow everything at the flag.
But obviously he's got theKiller Instinct he's a he's a
winner, so he might be one tolook out for.
And in fact, if I'm going topoint out any players I think
I'm going all Danish becauseyou've got the two young
Hjgaard twins, Nicolai andRasmus, who are just fantastic
players and of course already DPWorld Tour winners. It would
(24:24):
surprise me to see why or evenboth of those players make a
push for the 2023 Ryder Cupteam. That's how good they both
are. And I've already shownthemselves to be so those are
some of the players to watch.
And, yeah, you know thetournament's that are going on
right now. we've seen somefantastic events. So then if you
saw the Slync Dubai, there's aclassic at the weekend but what
(24:46):
a fantastic finish that wasunless your a big Rory McIlroy
fan you might have enjoyed it somuch. And Abu Dhabi as well was
a great start to the season soYou know, there's lots to look
forward to on a DP World Tour.
Maybe not quite as much youngtalent coming through as might
have been the case if there hadbeen Q School, but nonetheless,
(25:08):
still plenty to say.
Douglas Maida (25:11):
What can you say poor Rory 24 months ago, he was
on a pretty good little stretchthere, whatnot. So let's hope he
gets back on. He's got Augustacoming up.
Richard Kaufman (25:19):
Yeah, every time Augusta comes around, it's
can the Grand Slam be completed,I think the pressure is taken
off in the longer it goes on. Idon't think that anyone who
would not be delighted to see ordo that?
Douglas Maida (25:32):
Well, right.
Exactly. You don't want to seeit become a situation like Phil
Mickelson in the US Open, right.
I mean it just
Richard Kaufman (25:38):
Well it's incredible, isn't it? I mean,
you wouldn't believe it, butit's nearly eight years. It's
his last major. And he couldnever have thought that back in
2014, that you would still bewaiting here in 2022 for Rory to
win another one. I mean, theguy's got so much talent. He's
such a joy to watch. He's such apleasure to listen to. He's one
of those golfers that I lovehearing speak sometimes I don't
(26:01):
agree with everything he says.
But he generally speaks his mindand is a fantastic sort of role
model. I would say in the worldof golf. I think we're very
lucky to have someone like RoryMcIlroy at the top of the game.
And as a, you know, as a resultof that, I would love I mean,
absolutely love to see him stickon that green jacket at Augusta.
(26:21):
But you do worry. It happened atthe Tour Championship, the DP
World Tour Championship the inNovember at the end, then
European Tour season. It'shappened to start this season to
hear where he's been in winningpositions. And he's let it slip
through his fingers. I hope thatdoesn't chip away his confidence
and self belief.
Douglas Maida (26:41):
Before we move on, and take a quick break, I
wanted to ask you . . . I wasreading Monty's comments a
couple days ago about the nextRyder Cup captain and what do
you make of that?
Richard Kaufman (26:50):
Personnaly, I think Robert Karlsson, Luke
Donald, Henrik Stenson. It'll befabulous Captain. Henrik
Stenson's, I mean, he's got agreat personalities. He's funny,
he's witty, and obviously he hasbeen a big Ryder Cup. Robert
Karlsson has been an assistantmany times obviously played his
(27:11):
part in the Ryder Cup, as wellover the years and Luke Donald
we're talking about a formernumber one who'd probably be, I
would say probably the saferoption. He's very popular
amongst his peers as well. Imean, personally, if you'd asked
me a year ago, I thought it'sgonna it's gonna be Lee Westwood
, but Lee still feels he has thegame to play in a Ryder Cup as
(27:33):
it as he did in the last one.
And you know, this guy's in thetop. The timing isn't quite
right for him to take thatposition right now. So I do
understand, as I said, I read afrom one of the papers in
Scotland today saying, PaulLawrie is a name that should
also be mentioned. What he'sdone for golf in Scotland is
fantastic. He's a mentor to someof the young players coming
(27:56):
through. He's helped produce thetalent has come through in
Scotland. And of course, he's amajor winner and Ryder Cup
player in his own right as well.
But I wouldn't be surprised ifPaul did get the job. I would
say the three that I mentionedtwo Swedes, Karlsson and Stenson
and Luke Donald would be thefavorites, probably Donald
(28:17):
edging ahead of the two Swedes.
Douglas Maida (28:20):
We're gonna take a short break for some
commercial messages. And thenwhen we come back, we're going
(28:44):
to chat a little bit now aboutthe LET series -- the Ladies
(29:22):
European Tour. So we'll be rightback.
(30:04):
Hi, welcome back. And thank youfor staying with us. Now let's
get into the last segment of ourshow. We're going to chat a
little bit about the LadiesEuropean Tour with our guest,
Richard.
Richard, let's get right to thefact that this is going to be
the LET's year, second year, Ibelieve, in partnership with the
LPGA. Did you want to or haveany thoughts or share any ideas
(30:26):
about where it's going and whatyour thought process is with how
successful it's been so far?
Richard Kaufman (30:30):
Yeah, I'm well done to people actually,
sticking with me with merambling on, you've done very
well so far. But I try and tryand keep it entertaining as well
for this for this last month.
It's been it's been fantastic,really, the collaboration
between the Ladies European Tourand the LPGA Tour. I think it's
worked really well the theLadies European Tour, I've been
(30:52):
commentating on and off for theLadies European Tour for over a
decade. I think back in 20082009, first year, I started to
commentate on it when we justdoing kind of nightly
highlights, which would be puton late at night in the UK and
elsewhere across Europe. And I'msure, you know, segments of
highlights but in North Americaas well. And now, I think this
(31:14):
year, I haven't counted it. ButI think I might be covering 1516
either Ladies European Tour LPGAtour events because of course
some of those days I'll be atEvian, the AIG Women's Open and
there's a couple co-sanctionedwith the LPGA Tour like the
Scottish Open and the ISPS HandaWorld Invitation which was won
(31:36):
by Pajaree Anannarukarn, who Iknow you chatted to a little
while back as well. And we'retalking golf, it was great to
hear that. So I think it'sworked really well. I think it
was so, so important for theseEuropean tour.
The more golf the better, moretournaments, the better for my
web. But for the for the youngtalent in Europe coming through.
(31:59):
I fear that the need is EuropeanTour's becoming fragmented, they
would go they play a tournamentand then they'd go a month or
more without playing atournament that they play
another tournament and thenanother month without one. How
do you build up any momentum howthey play to any kind of
consistency when your stop -start, you have more weeks
(32:19):
practicing than you do play agolf tournament. And I feared
for the Ladies European Tours inentity. So when the help came in
from the DP World Tour, as wellas the RNA from the PGA Tour,
but most of course importantlyfrom Mike Whan at the time and
the the LPGA Tour, it was a nobrainer. Of course, it went to
the members, Ladies EuropeanTour players. And thankfully,
(32:43):
and I think quite rightly theyagreed to do given what happened
soon afterwards with COVIDpandemic and shutdown of golf in
Europe. Without it, I don'tthink I'd be heading to their
mind 17 golf tournament orwhatever it is I'm doing with
the Ladies European Tour thisyear, I'd be lucky if there's
three or four events because Idon't think the Ladies European
(33:06):
Tour would be existing anywherenear like it is without it. So I
think it's been a fantasticcollaboration. I hope it
continues to improve. We knowwho the little sister is here.
The LPGA Tour is of course wherethe top players in the world
want to be. But it doesn't meanyou can't have a healthy,
flourishing Ladies European Tourat the same time bringing
(33:27):
through the talent, and itreally is continuing to bring
through the talent. So yeah,fantastic collaboration.
Douglas Maida (33:33):
Yeah, that's great news. You're talking about
the LET. And the challenge ithad with the COVID situation
when it first hit, how valuablewas the Rose Series in terms of
keeping golf going during thatbreak?
Richard Kaufman (33:47):
Yeah, the Rose Ladies Series was important. I
mean, I don't want to overplayit or underplay it for that
matter. But bear in mind, therewere other series going on
various different countries, butin the UK, the important because
for the players on the LadiesEuropean Tour there was based in
(34:08):
the UK, there was no gold forthem to play. They were
tournament's happening on theLPGA Tour, and then there were
majors coming along. And ifthere hadn't been that Rose
Series, then there'd been anumber of players that wouldn't
have had any build up to areally important part of their
schedule. And it was fantasticthat it was an idea that came
around from one of the playersthese young just wanted to put
(34:29):
on an event on a home course ofgolf. Some of the players that
she knows on the Ladies EuropeanTour that are based in the
United Kingdom, and then it waspicked up by one of the
newspapers, the Telegraph in theUnited Kingdom, then that was
picked up by Justin Rose out inthe United States and his wife
Kate, and they got behind it andI just think it's fantastic what
(34:51):
Justin Rose did with that. Iknow he's not the only male
golfer that gets behind ladiesgolf, but he put his money where
his mouth is. And I know itmeant the, to those players, you
know, I got to commentate onsome of those events prior to
the Ladies European Tourresuming. Charlie Hall was
playing southern Georgia Hall,warranty law, and the rank and
(35:14):
file of the 80s. Europeans arefrom the UK that just will have
had the opportunity to one playfor money but two to play
competitively and get themselvesready for the 2020 season when
it resumed in August.
Douglas Maida (35:25):
Yeah, that was fantastic. And Kate's been quite
the leader herself in terms ofrallying everybody around and
getting them active and whatnot.
How are you feeling about the QSchool situation for the Ladies
European Tour this year? I mean,there's been a few players that
come through, are there anynotables you're watching? I know
for me personally, I followedthe Gabby Then's travels because
(35:47):
she had, you know, just missedout on the Q Series here. And
then she went to Europe andmanaged to qualify, I think
finished first even on the toschool series there. And the
other one I've been watching alot is Meghan MacLaren.
Richard Kaufman (36:03):
Well, Meghan's a fantastic writer, and she is
very inspiring. Every time I seeMeghan on the Ladies European
Tour it's great to catch up andtalk to her. She loves golf,
loves sport, and is a fabulousplayer as well. After what she
went through the heartbreak ofmissing out at LPGA Q Series to
(36:24):
come over and get a card toscore on the Ladies European
Tour was fantastic. But I thinkanother boost for for Ladies
Golf was the title sponsorship,new title sponsor for the second
tier of ladies golf in America(the EPSON Tour). So I think
Megan will be playing mainly onthat. I'll be interested to see
what Gabby Then does with herschedule, because I'm sure
(36:47):
she'll try and play some eventsin the United States. But yeah,
looking forward to seeing whatshe does in Europe. It's really
hard to know exactly because Ihaven't seen many of these
players play that one playerthat one the second tier in
Europe, the Access Tour, there'sgoing to be coming a tour player
called Lily May Humphries, who'sa young player with a lot of
potential. And the fact that sheturned pro in June and then was
(37:11):
the number one player on theAccess Tour shows her potential.
She's played Curtis Cup and wasa top amateur.
Then there's a Q School, Becky(Brewerton) played on Solheim
Cup, she came through I mean,it's an incredible story, Becky,
with her struggles from being aSolheim Cup player to someone
who was knocking on the door ofbeing a regular on the LPGA Tour
(37:32):
to completely losing her gameshe had the driving yips didn't
know if he's going left, didn'tefforts going right. Obviously
many times thought aboutquitting the game but is stuck
with it come through and thesigns are that maybe she's gonna
get back I don't know whether toher best because she was one of
the great ball strikers primewhether she can get back to
(37:54):
something close to that it'sgoing to be interesting to see.
And then there's stories likeVirginia Elena Carta, who went
to Duke University could havethen turned pro but did a
postgraduate CambridgeUniversity in environmental
policy. They think there's toomany Cambridge graduates that
are graduated for the for theladies European so but she's
(38:17):
already before were on theladies Europeans. Like Meghan
MacLaren, Pauline RousseinBouchard went to Q Series in
America qualified came to yourquantified again. She's already
a Ladies European Tour winner,she looks like she's going to be
a fantastic golfer. So those aresome of the players that are
(38:38):
Q-School, come through theAccess Tour
So unlike the DP World Tour wetalked about earlier, there is
going to be this fresh talentcoming through in European golf
amongst the women. Because whatthey've done as well, they
changed the way the policy ofthe Ladies European Tour. So you
(38:58):
had to be top 40 on the race toCosta del Sol last season to be
in the top echelons of the tourso guaranteed starts, then
they've gone to the next the top20 Q-School and then they've
gone to 40 to 60 in in the Orderof Merit to guarantee your
start. So they're giving thatfresh Q School players a really
(39:21):
good chance of keeping their carbecause I think in the old days
it was only the top five thatcame in next as opposed to the
top 20.
Douglas Maida (39:32):
Where do the LET Access players fit in that
scheme? Richard?
Richard Kaufman (39:36):
The Access players I think they come after
the top 60. I can't rememberoff the top of my head but I
think I'm correct in sayingthat.
Douglas Maida (39:45):
And you mentioned Becky. I didn't catch her last
name what was
Richard Kaufman (39:49):
sorry say again Douglas.
Douglas Maida (39:51):
You had mentioned Becky trying to is making a bit
of a comeback and gettinggetting her game in shape again.
I didn't quite catch Becky'slast name He had a reformer
cutting out.
Richard Kaufman (40:02):
Yeah, Becky Brewerton. So the player that
played Solheim Cup 2009 Ibelieve. Welsh golfer fantastic
ball striker and just wentthrough a horrendous time
mentally in terms of her drivingfor a number of years and it's
(40:27):
only really the last few yearsshe's managed to break it down
if you if you want to read moreabout Becky's story she I think
she has her own website which iswell worth a look and she's
written blogs on it. It's afantastic read. She's a
brilliant talker as well. So ifyou I'm sure there are some
interviews that you can find onYouTube too with her. Well
worth a listen because she'sreally good at describing both
(40:48):
in word and in audio as well, toget back to where she is now.
Douglas Maida (40:54):
Right Okay, well that's something we can
definitely look at do for sure.
There's another young playerthat seems to be making a little
bit of a splash Richard, I'mtrying to remember her name off
the top my head and I'm notdoing a very good job of it. I
believe her first name isChiara.
Richard Kaufman (41:10):
Chiara Noja Yeah. 15 years of age. She's
based out in Dubai, very tall; Igot to watch her at the Dubai
couple of events in Saudi at theend of last year. She didn't get
a card through our LadiesEuropean Tour Q-School but got a
couple of starts last year.
Hopefully she'll get some startsthis year on the Ladies European
Tour I'm sure she'll play someof the events on the access
(41:31):
series as well. I mean, to turnpro at the age of 15.
questionable whether you thinkthat's too young or not. Listen,
look at the player that won atthe weekend - Lydia Ko? I think
she did all right by turning proat such a young age. Lexi
Thompson's another one as well.
(41:53):
But there's no doubt about it.
This girl's got a quarter agobecause she is at the age of 15.
An athlete already at the hertender age. And she has all the
tools to have a very goodcareer. Obviously, there are no
guarantees, but she appears tohave a good team behind her. I
managed to speak briefly withtheir parents as well when I was
in Dubai too. And they seemlike, you know, very down to
(42:16):
earth people. You know, not thepushy parent kind of people who
I'm sure Chiara grounded. Yeah,she's got all of the chances
having a great future ahead ofher we shall see.
Douglas Maida (42:29):
And then the LET had a couple of its more notable
players graduate onto the LPGAwas probably, at least in the
case of Atthaya Thitikul,definitely with enough priority
to be playing regularly on theLPGA. Is there going to be a
little bit of a hole do youthink on the LET.
Richard Kaufman (42:50):
No, because as I mentioned already with the
access tour with the Q School aswell, that there's so much
talent coming through. So here'ssome players they're going to be
playing on the Ladies EuropeanTour this year, the player that
couldn't play a tour last yearbecause of a back injury. The
finished second on the orderAmerican the year before young
Swedish player called JuliaEngstrom who is a fantastic ball
(43:15):
striker. Mentioned Becky, a fewstruggles with the putting yips.
I'm off to Kenya in a week orso. And she's making a comeback
there a tournament where she ledby seven shots going into the
final round and last to EstherHenselite. In heartbreaking
fashion. She struggled healthwise that week and struggled
with her putter that week,especially in that last round
(43:38):
but has the talent to be aSolheim cup player. And Julia's
coming back from injury after ayear out. Pia Babnik is only 17
years she could well be thelongest player on the Ladies
European Tour. She hits it outthere with some of the longest
players on the LPGA Tour. She's17 She's already a winner on the
(44:00):
Ladies European Tour. She couldhave gone to Q series at the end
of the year because the top fiveplayers from the Ladies European
Tour got into Q series soAtthaya Thitikul went, Olivia
Cowan went, Sanna Nuutinen went,Steff Kyriacou went, and all got
their card, shows the strengthof the Ladies European Tour.
(44:20):
Pia Babnik could have gonebecause I think she finished
third on the rankings or fourth.
I can't remember off the top ofmy head at this stage. But she
finished in the top five forcertain that she decided that
she wanted to do studies, stayin Europe for another year. And
we're going to be very fortunateto have her I mentioned already
Lily May Humphreys, whose was anamateur star already won a
(44:41):
couple of times on the accesstour.
And then there's Maya Starkanother Swedish player. I
think in July or August lastyear, won two of the first three
events on the Ladies EuropeanTour, finished sixth on the
rankings in just about six orseven events. Incredible,
another prodigious hitter. Andso the talent just, you know,
(45:05):
there's going to be names comingthrough that I haven't
mentioned. There's going to beplenty of players who are going
to be entertaining us, producingthe goods. And then you've got
the Aramco Team Series events.
The co-sanctioned event with theDP World Tour, which are the
Scandinavia Mixed co-sanctionedevents with Scotland and in
Northern Ireland at the ISPSHanda Invitational where the so
(45:28):
called bigger name players havecome across her last year. You
know, we ended the year in Saudiwith Lydia Ko winning. We've
seen Lexi Thompson and CharlieHull, and Georgia Hall -- all
the big name players playing inEuropean in 2021. I expect more
of the same at 22. But will thatyoung talent coming through as
(45:50):
well? It's, it's great to see.
Douglas Maida (45:55):
The LET is definitely on the way up again.
And that's great to see. I mean,there's -- and it's gonna make
for tremendous competition inthe Ryder Cup. So, pardon me
Solheim Cup.
Richard Kaufman (46:06):
Well it is. I mean, how incredible was that
last year at the Inverness club.
And of course Emily Pedersen isanother player that that Ladies
European Tour last season camethrough Q Series has now got her
card on the LPGA Tour again,Emily's another fabulous book
striker who I hope can now showher talent on the biggest stage
(46:29):
and let's face it, it is thebiggest stage of the the LPGA
tour but the Ladies EuropeanTour is doing a fantastic job of
now having a regular run ofevents and making these players
game ready for when they do takethe next step. The fact that for
the top five players wereallowed to go to LPGA Q-Series,
only four of them went and all Ithink that result in itself
(46:50):
shows you the health the way theLadies European Tour is in good
health.
Douglas Maida (46:58):
I mentioned Solheim Cup. Any last thoughts
about Suzann Pettersen iscaptain and playing in
Andalucia?
Richard Kaufman (47:06):
Yeah, looking forward to that, I think that
course is in next year. SuzannPettersen, I assume will be an
entertaining captain. She's hadher moments in the Solheim Cup.
Some not so good. Some prettyYeah. I'm interested to see
who the US captain is going tobe alongside her. I hope it's
Cristie Kerr; that would make aninteresting clash of the
(47:27):
captains in itself. Cristie'ssomeone that I've interviewed on
my own podcast before, actuallyCristie Kerr, and yeah, she was
fabulous to talk to and she wasvery much when I spoke to her.
This was a couple of years ago,very, very strong in that she
wanted to be a Solheim Cupcaptain. So I'm sure if she was,
(47:47):
oh, it's something she wouldtake. I think there's took
potentially it might be StacyLewis. But I still feel Stacy
has got the game to play in theSolheim cup personally, but
yeah, we'll see. Suzann isgoing to be a fabulous captain.
She's going to be she's highlyrespected by the players that
will play for her. Of course,she's been an assistant for the
last couple. She's now retired,but she's still very much
(48:10):
involved in the game. And yeah,looking forward to seeing what
the European team can do nextseason because it was an
incredible win for them in theUnited States. And I think at
the moment, the European teamhave got a bit of a grip on the
Solheim Cup. And obviously, Istay neutral when I'm
commentating. But talking to youright now I can say long may it
(48:30):
continue?
Douglas Maida (48:33):
Well, the European side seems to be a
little bit more in theascendancy right now. That's for
sure. You know, the crop ofyounger players. And you know
what we neither of us evenmentioned Leona Maguire. And
yet, there she is right there inthe thick of it all.
Richard Kaufman (48:47):
Oh, I'm looking forward to seeing what she does
this for the LPGA tour becauseevery year Leona McGuire
improves last year she came soclose to winning in majors, is
so close to winning in regularLPGA tour events. So I'm
expecting Leona Maguire to winthis season on the LPGA Tour.
Douglas Maida (49:03):
She's definitely been knocking on the door and
that would be a naturalprogression for her for sure.
Richard, we're coming to the endof our show. Let me ask you,
what's next for you? What's yournext event? And what do you have
"on the go" for in terms of yourpodcast and other things like
(49:23):
that?
Richard Kaufman (49:24):
Well, the podcast is is on the back
burner. So if anyone wants tocheck it out to the 'Round Golf'
podcast and basically they'retimeless podcasts, I hope so
even though some of themrecorded even a couple of years
ago. The premise of the podcastis the round golf podcast it
starts with the round that wasthe most important round in the
(49:45):
player's career. So if you'reinterested the ladies game,
there's a -- I do everything inperson with Mel Reid Cristie
Kerr, Lizette Salas, CatrinaMatthew, Karrie Webb. Laura
Davies, of course we talkedabout the Golf but with Lizette
Salas, we have a good chat aboutDonald Trump, for example.
Cristie Kerr about the bullyingshe received. Mel Reid about how
(50:07):
she came out and what that meantto her. Laura Davies was just a
fabulous chat -- I get to work,it's joy is to work with Laura
Davies, when I'm commentating.
And she was just a fabulousAnd in the men's side, there's
major champions like Davis Loveinterview.
and Padraig, Harrington and GaryPlayer, but there's also some
players you might not have heardof, you just got the most
(50:28):
amazing stories. I actually wasbrought to tears in one of them
with a guy called Marc Cayeux,you may or may not have heard of
him, he cried, I cried. And itkind of, for me personally
ruined the podcast a bit becauseI kind of lost it, which I'm not
supposed to do as an interview.
But his story is just soshocking and amazing. That he
reduced me to that. And, youknow, with Gary Player, you
(50:53):
know, talk about arpartheid, youknow, cover topics of dyslexia
and epilepsy, and all all kindsof things. So yeah, if you want
to check that out, it's theround golf podcast, so I'm not
doing any more of those.
I am off for my First LadiesEuropean Tour event next week.
So I'm off to Kenya in Africa,East Africa. Some journey it is
(51:15):
as well via I can't remember,via Ethiopia, to Kenya and then
it's a couple of hours drivefrom Mombasa, to the venue,
which is Topingo Ridge whichI've been to a couple of years
ago when Esther Henseliet pippedJulia Engstrom to the title. So
both of those players are in thefield for that looking forward.
(51:37):
Then we'll be covering some --I'm doing an Asian Tour event in
the beginning of March and thendoing another Ladies European
Tour event. And then I'll bestarting my first event on the
DP World Tour at the end ofMarch.
So yeah, it gets going properlyfor me from next week, really,
(51:57):
in terms of the golf. In themeantime, here I'm doing some
football or soccer matches,depending where you are. In the
United Kingdom, I do somebroadcast coaching for sportsmen
and women who want to get intothe media as something towards
their end of their career. SoI'll be doing some of that as
well. And obviously trying toentertain my children, you've
(52:21):
got to see me for the lastcouple of months because I've
been at home most of December inJanuary. And I'm sure they're
looking forward to bidding mefarewell as I go on my trips,
kicking Dad out of the house.
Douglas Maida (52:33):
Okay, well, that sounds great. You got a very
busy schedule and getting backto life on the road again.
Fantastic. Is there any, anyother last words you'd like to
share with us, Richard or?
Richard Kaufman (52:43):
No, no Douglas.
its just been a pleasure. Ihope. It's been entertaining for
anyone who's been listening tothis all the way to the end.
Good luck with your podcast aswell. I think it's terrific what
you do Douglas. I know, youcover a lot of the stories in
the ladies game in particular.
And I just, you know, when I wasdoing my podcast, I was very
keen to make sure that there wasas many men, as many women as
(53:07):
there was men for it as well.
Golfing world now is takingladies golf, not saying they
weren't taking it seriouslybefore, but I think in terms of
commercially, I think peopletake, are taking women's golf
more seriously on a commerciallevel. And I think that's only
quite right, because the talentis there. And these players
deserve the platform. You know,one of the big stories in the
last six months has been theprize fund offered to the women
(53:29):
at the AIG Women's Open, they'regonna be paying for $6.8 million
at Muirfield in the summer, andat the US Women's Open, they're
going to be paying for $10million. The prize funds have
increased on the LPGA Tour. Andthey know more than they deserve
the products there. Hopefullypeople get watching and you
know, more people talk about it,the more people know it's there,
(53:50):
hopefully the more eyes that goon it. And hopefully those that
are talking over it like myselfdo a good job, good enough job
to justify it.
Douglas Maida (54:02):
Well, I'm sure that'll continue. Thank you very
much, Richard, we reallyappreciate it. Thank you for
being on the show. It's beenfantastic. I'll just apologize
to our audience a little bitabout quality of the internet
and our, our broadcast a littlebit. So, but you know, what can
you do? I mean, there's the timezone. We've got all of this
going on. And we're so lucky tohave you as a guest. So thank
(54:23):
you so much, Richard. Appreciateit.
Richard Kaufman (54:26):
Absolutely pressure. Absolutely.
Douglas Maida (54:28):
Thanks. And, ladies and gentlemen, that's our
show. Thank you so much forjoining us. And we will see you
in a couple of weeks. Andremember if you're playing golf,
keep that ball on the shortgrass.
Richard Kaufman (54:39):
You have been listening to our podcast show
we're talking golf produced bythe world of golf. This episode
was recorded on Tuesday,February 1 2022. If you have an
idea for a future show, pleasesend us an email to info at
World of golf.org Please includepodcast show in the subject
(55:00):
Tonight, this show is thecopyright of the world of golf.
Thank you for joining us.
Hello, good afternoon. Welcome to our
podcast show. We're talkinggolf, our shows produced by the
world of golf, and I'm yourhost, Douglas Maida. Our guest
for today's show is RichardKaufman. Richard is a golf
commentator with Sky Sports.
SkySports is based in the UnitedKingdom, and covers primarily
the LET -- Ladies European Tour,and the DP World Tour, or what
(00:53):
used to be known as the men'sEuropean tour. On occasion he
also covers football, or what wecall soccer in North America and
Australia. Richard is joining usfrom North London where he lives
with his family. He is joiningus via zoom. And before we
introduce him, we wish toapologize because we've been
experiencing connectivityproblems, leading to some delays
(01:15):
and interruptions in ourconversation. However, we
decided to proceed and try tomake the best of the situation.
So we thank you for yourpatience and understanding as
the show goes on. Now before weget to our guest, we have to
take a short commercial break ormessages for our sponsors.
Richard Kaufman (01:38):
Today's show is being recorded from our studio
(02:25):
in beautiful Vancouver, BritishColumbia. We are produced by the
world of golf and you can findus on the worldwide web at
www.worldofgolf.org. Or on oursocial media channels of
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram andnow on LinkedIn. We are proud to
announce that "We're TalkingGolf" has been recognized as one
(02:47):
of the top 40 PGA and LPGA golfpodcasts to follow. Now, back to
our show. Here is your host,Douglas Maida.
Douglas Maida (02:58):
We're back. Thank you for staying with us. Now
without any further ado, wewould like to extend a big
welcome to our guest, RichardKaufman. Welcome to the show,
Richard.
Richard Kaufman (03:07):
Pleasure to be here, Hi Douglas.
Douglas Maida (03:11):
So tell me, Richard, where are you based?
And how much travel do you windup doing -- covering all those
Golf tours like that?
Richard Kaufman (03:21):
Well, it's been a bit strange actually, because
of the pandemic, obviously,things have changed a little
bit. So I'm based in NorthLondon. And I would say
normally, I'm away from myfamily about six months of the
year, you know, not always infaraway lands, but quite a bit
in Asia and Europe, andsometimes in the United Kingdom,
and obviously not at home. Butwhen the pandemic struck in the
(03:46):
early part of 2020. For example,I was in Malaysia at the time,
and I got a call from myproducer to tell me I wouldn't
be going to Kenya the week laterbecause the border had closed
and the tournament would nolonger go ahead. And that the
trip to India was still goingahead but come home would go to
India from there, then theIndian border closed while I was
(04:06):
back in London. And thensuddenly my family saw me at
home pretty much for six monthswithout stepping too far outside
the front door. By the timeAugust, September came around
and eventually started doinggolf tournaments again, they
were quite happy to kick me outthe front door.
Douglas Maida (04:21):
So it was a matter of saying thanks, dad,
but no more. Thanks. Good to seeyou, Good Bye and get back to
work.
Richard Kaufman (04:28):
Yeah, absence makes the heart grow fonder. And
you know, they my family justused to that's the way it's
always been. So it was tricky.
You know, it was lovely in a wayto have that time I would quite
say was quality time because itwasn't like we could go out and
do anything but it was just niceto be at home.
Douglas Maida (04:47):
So Richard, how long have you been with Sky
Sports?
Richard Kaufman (04:50):
Well, it's it's not a simple question to answer.
I've been on Sky Sports manymany years but as a part, I
would say officially a part, oftheir commentary team. I'd say
it's maybe five or six years.
But for a long time before thata lot of the golf tournaments
that I would cover during Worldfeed, or as other companies do,
(05:12):
Ladies European Tour of theAsian Tour, would go on Sky
Sports as they probably would doon your network that the covers
golf in Canada in North America,like the Golf Channel, but as
official part of the coventryteam and sky the last five or
six years.
Douglas Maida (05:29):
So what is your background in golf? How did you
come to the sport? And how didyou -- Is there a little story
that you have that maybeconnected you to the sport or
anything like that?
Richard Kaufman (05:42):
Golfers and I've grown up playing the game,
loving the game loving allsport, I used to play cricket,
rugby, golf, football, tennis,unfortunately, never at a level
where I threatened to be aprofessional, of course, like a
lot of youngsters dreamed ofdoing that. And then when it
(06:02):
came to starting a career, Ikind of was gonna go two fields,
one would have been in comedy,because I comedy and actually
that put me in really good steadfor I do because when you fail
at stand up comedy, which I did,quite spectacularly, nothing
will frighten you about being infront of a microphone, or in
(06:24):
front of a camera. If you'regetting booed on stage, trying
to make people laugh. You're setfor life, really nothing else
can intimidate you. So I waseither gonna go to comedy or
sport.
The first job I ever got, once Ifinished my studies was, I think
you should be aware of because Iknow traveled transatlantic and
there was a Canadian programWhose Line Is It Anyway? -- that
(06:45):
if you remember that improvshow, Ryan Stiles was in it,
Shane, Clive Anderson was thehost and I was a runner on
there. So I was getting everyonetheir sandwiches and picking up
their dirty clothes or whateverelse might be laying around,
making sure it was fed, got allthe drinks they wanted, and was
part of the production for that.
Simultaneously, at the weekend,I worked for the big London
(07:08):
station, Radio Station doingfootball. So I decided which one
I felt I was flourishing bestat, and it was the sport. And it
wasn't until about three yearsinto my sort of broadcasting
career that I got my break doingGolf which was in 1996. I worked
(07:29):
for ITN Radio. So it's the kindof the independent network that
opposes the BBC in the UK. Andthey had a radio network to all
the independent radio stationsacross the country. And I've sat
there a couple of months intothe job there where we'd cover
football matches and they saidDoes anyone want to cover the
(07:50):
golf tournament? There's the PGAChampionship at Wentworth. I put
my hand up and nobody else did.
And so began my time in golf. Iturned up at Wentworth in those
days, you had a big taperecorder, and I stood behind the
18th green and if you go therenow I was at the PGA
Championship at Wentworth doingthe TV in September and change
(08:15):
but this huge hospitality standsnow there's a big BMW car right
in the stands as well wherepeople can actually sit in;
then there was nothing behindthe 18th green I stood there on
the I think it was the Tuesdayor the Wednesday before the
tournament. I dumped down all mystuff, picked up the tape
recorder machine I had firstperson that was walking off the
(08:38):
18th Green was somebody who justput on a green jacket a month
earlier Nick Faldo, Sir Nickbecause he likes to obviously be
called now and asked him to doan interview. And that was my
first interview in golf withNick Foudy ahead of the PGA
Championship. And I suppose therest as they say is history.
That was me working in golf forthe very first time.
Douglas Maida (08:59):
Wow, that's quite the story, because he would have
been fresh coming off that whenat the Masters with Greg Norman
in that category, it was fiveshots or six shots, made up.
Richard Kaufman (09:09):
Six shots, but he I mean, the turnaround was in
double figures in the endbecause Nick won by quite a few
it.
Douglas Maida (09:16):
Yeah, yeah, he's, I've read something. He's a . .
.
Richard Kaufman (09:19):
Remember. who actually won day. Go ahead. Go
ahead.
Douglas Maida (09:23):
I was gonna say, I had read something that he had
mentioned that. He wasn't sureif he was gonna be able to make
back that difference in strokesbecause of the lead. But he said
as soon as he got to the courseand saw Greg, working out a new
grip for Sunday, he figured"Whoa, I got a shot."
Richard Kaufman (09:38):
Now it's one of the most incredible turnarounds
And one of my greatest memorieswas that Open Championship
until of course, Jordan Spaethhad his favorite, the 12th A
few. It was incredible. Then Idid my first Open Championship
and it's incredible and I, youknow, the years go by, none of
us feel old. In our heads we'reall still youngsters, but when I
was at Wentworth field Monthsago covering the PGA
(10:01):
Championship. It was great fun.
I was in the featured groupswith Sam Torrance, and a great
team that week. And I realizedit'd be 25 years since I've
covered my first golf tournamentthat and suddenly, I felt very
old. And I know the gray hairsattached to it, but it does show
there's been, you know, I did myfirst open that year at Royal
(10:21):
St. Annes.
because again, I interviewed afew people that week, Bob
Charles, when I got there, NickPrice, but after interviewing
them, I watched this Spanish guywalking off with this young kid,
(10:41):
and it was Seve Ballasteros. Hewas one of my heroes growing up,
asked him for an interview andhad this youngster standing
right by him. They just playedhe just won the Amateur
Championship -- his name isSergio Garcia, and I spoke to
savvy for two and a halfminutes. I've no idea now I wish
I could somehow get hold of thatinterview. No idea what I asked
(11:01):
it can't remember what he said.
All I remember is, I'm sonervous. And he was so charming
and lovely. And yeah, that was aroll of the dice. And as with
Tom Lehman, won the OpenChampionship, but yeah, that's
25 years ago now.
Douglas Maida (11:15):
Yeah, well, geez, time flies. Let's get to another
question here. What has beenyour most memorable experience
with the DP tour?
Richard Kaufman (11:28):
Well, I mean, I've mentioned a few already
really? Well, I mean, there's afew there's, there's moments
like that, you know, for someonewhen it's new, it's all fresh
and most exciting in a way, butI still love it now as much as I
did that back then I was justdoing reports and interviewing.
And now I feel like I'm moreimmersed in the toilet because
(11:50):
I'm the Lead commentator. Andthe first time I did my first
lead commentary on Sky Sportswas the South African Open in
2005. And that was verymemorable for me obviously doing
that to Henrik Stenson, it wasone of his comebacks when he won
there.
I was at Tiger Woods won the USOpen by I think was 12 shots or
(12:14):
13 shots -- should remembershouldn't I off the top of my
head? By this time, I wasworking for a national radio
station in the United KingdomTalk Sport, I was there golf
correspondent. So I wascommentating with a few of the
guys I still work with at SkySports. And that same year, I
was at St. Andrews when Tigerwon the Open Championship and
(12:36):
that the field then as well. Soto see Tiger in his prime, you
know, PGA Championship and hetook on Bob Mae in the playoff,
I got to see Tiger,I got tospeak to Tiger at Firestone, in
Ohio to the World GolfChampionship which was down the
road for me here as well, in abushy in North London. So I got
to see Tiger in his prime.
(12:56):
So those are probably thestandout memories going back a
decade or so you know, beingpart of seeing greatness. And
obviously those first steps intobeing an elite commentator. And
then it's just the jet, youknow, camaraderie, you know,
just as recently I was doing theSpanish Open on the on the
European Tour now the DP WorldTour. And it had been a while
(13:18):
since we were allowed out --know, when we were covering
tournament's in the early partof the pandemic, It was golf
course hotel room, you had toorder in, you weren't allowed
out. And yet we went to Madriddid the Spanish Open. And it was
from the part of the Coventryteam that week was Mark Rowe.
(13:39):
And, Rick of course, playedmajors DP World Tour, and just
having a glass of sangria,grabbing some food, stories, you
know, hearing their stories, youknow that that's what it's all
about. But you know, theexperience of sort of your
extended family away from homeon the on the Golf Tour, it's
(14:00):
it's a, it's a fabulousexperience. I pinch myself so
many times that I'm doing it Ilove every minute of it. And
yeah, I'm one of the who lovestheir job and loves what they're
doing.
Douglas Maida (14:12):
Yeah, those are quite some experiences to, to
hold on to there with Tiger inhis prime and whatnot and, and
meeting Seve and, you know,Europe's a little bit smaller
than North America so you canget to some of these events a
little bit easier and whatnot.
So
Richard Kaufman (14:26):
Yeah, I mean, I think I've been covered over the
events, quite a few of the bigevents in the United States.
I've never been to the Masters,mentioned just before that I I
worked for TALKSPORT nationalradio station in the United
Kingdom, and we pretended to beat the Masters. And I'll never
forget, there was one time I'mbasically in this broom cupboard
(14:49):
-- I can't call it any more thanthem in this room, no windows. I
mean, South West London, and I'mdoing updates from the Masters
and in those days of There wasno featured whole coverage, the
internet had just started. Sothere was nothing more than a
leaderboard in the morning. SoI'm saying, you know, Tiger is
(15:09):
off to a great start is barelythe first three, Nick Price is
two behind, you know, just thegeneral things any minute
broadcast anyway then did thenext broadcast and I pretty much
said the same thing. And then Iwent to do the next broadcast.
And I'd noted that at the top ofthe page, it says "play delayed
because of thunderstorms."And I hadn't realized this for
about an hour because all I amis stuck in my broom cupboard.
(15:31):
You know, no Twitter in thosedays, no social media, nothing
to suggest other than thislittle blue line at the top of
the screen saying the play wassuspended because of
thunderstorms. So yeah, one ofmy goals is, because I've been
to all the other Majors, is tois to one day go to Augusta
National that would befantastic.
Douglas Maida (15:49):
For sure. Richard DP World Tour, we've known it as
the European tour for years now.
What's the rationale and thebenefit of that changeover? Can
you maybe share a little bit ofthat with our listeners
Richard Kaufman (16:07):
it's called the DP World Tour now because
basically it's the tour titlehas a sponsorships so DP World
is Dubai port world, who freightcompany, you know, delivering
stuff all around the world. Andthey have sponsored the European
Tour. So it's a financial andsecurity for the European tour
(16:31):
which this year celebrating its50th on air. I know I'm going to
get it wrong. I've already gotit wrong on air. I've caught it
European Tour, I have my wristslapped for it. The DP World
Tour now is basically is theEuropean Tour.
The benefits of it are what Imentioned there as it's
financial provides security, youknow, the European Tour during
(16:53):
the pandemic did a fantastic jobof propping up events. There are
sponsors of course, that wereaffected. So basically provides
the security for the Tour duringthe pandemic. Obviously, the
European Tour as it was then wasvery much effective. But they
were playing for some reducedprice fun. There was a lot of
(17:16):
tournament's that were just amillion Euro. So this title
sponsorship has allowed KeithPelley and his team to make sure
that the minimum prize fund forevery DP World Tour event in
2022, and for the extension ofthe sponsorship over the next
few years, is 2 million Euros,$2 million minimum for each
(17:38):
event. Prize funds in generalhave gone up. I noted they
announced it that the FrenchOpen which will be at the
Kauffman se announced Septemberfrom last year the price fund
has doubled. So it's that's whatit is. It's just a change of
name. It's still very much thesame tour with very much the
(17:59):
same tournament's but with afinancial security.
Douglas Maida (18:03):
Right. Okay, well, that makes sense. That
makes sense. Are you catchingany scuttlebutt, discussion or
hearing things from the players?
I mean, has it been generallywell received? Or?
Richard Kaufman (18:15):
Yeah, but the players are absolutely delighted
the rank and file if you likethe players that aren't in the
big tournament, the players thatwon't be popping across the pond
to play the PGA Tour, or theWorld Golf Championship events,
seeing their prize funds, insome cases double? Well, I mean,
what player is not going to behappy about that. I mean,
(18:35):
there's a lot going on, in thefinances of golfers right now.
There has been other parties whohave tried to get involved with
the golfing world, it has nowbeen this collaboration that's
been strengthened between thePGA Tour and the European Tour.
So this year, for the firsttime, the DP World Tour, and the
PGA Tour coming together forthree events, one of them's in
(18:57):
Europe at the Scottish Open, andtwo of them are in America for
the Barracuda championship atthe Barbasol Championship, which
coincide obviously, with some ofthe big events of the majors
that have been happening in theStates as well. So further
opportunities for the rank andfile players from the European
tour to even play events in theUnited States.
(19:18):
At the same time, other playersare being offered, it seems
barrow loads of money to go andplace it play elsewhere. Then
have you seen this recordingtoday's Daily Telegraph that
came out in the last few hoursthat Ian Poulter has been
offered between $20 and $30million upfront to play the
(19:40):
Saudi Golf League. I believe thepackage was quoted in the
newspaper if I remember rightlyat $55 million in total for him
to assume that over a number ofyears, but he would have to
sacrifice as a result one wouldassume playing in the Ryder Cup
in 2023 and also being apotential Ryder Cup Captain if
(20:02):
that was the case, so there's alot going on. There's a lot of
talk amongst the golfers much ofthe broadcast as amongst the
tours of what's happening. Buton the one side, you've got a
great job that the DP World Tourhave been doing in securing
events, increasing the prizefund. And at the same time,
there's this hesitancy overwhat's going on. And obviously,
(20:25):
Money talks and players, someplayers heads will be turned,
there's no doubt about it.
Douglas Maida (20:30):
You mentioned the 20 to 30 million. Is that in US
dollars,
Richard Kaufman (20:34):
That's US dollars. Yeah. Okay.
Douglas Maida (20:37):
And was that 20 to 30 million? You said . . . I
understand from what you said,was just appearance money --
just show up.
Richard Kaufman (20:44):
It's an upfront to commit.
Douglas Maida (20:46):
Okay so and it was up for all of their season
or just a few events?
Richard Kaufman (20:51):
I don't know. I think it would i I'm making
assumptions here. I don't know Iassume to commit to the league
for a number of years.
Douglas Maida (21:01):
I see. I see.
Which would then automaticallypick them out of the running
then for Ryder Cup events in thefuture.
Richard Kaufman (21:07):
Don't if you noticed that we're talking
obviously the Ryder Cupcaptaincy is up for grabs, and
it looks at the moment is ifit's between Robert Karlson,
Henrik Stenson, and Luke Donald,although I saw someone throwing
Paul Lawrie's name into perhapstoday as well. Lee Westwood
decided not to put himselfforward which was a bit of
surprise. Henrik Stenson is oneof those that may be loaded with
(21:34):
money elsewhere. So there's allthis that is going on? I would
be surprised if Stenson wasoffered the job personally, I
I've think from hearing fromwhat Padraig Harrington said,
and bear in mind, the Ryder Cupcaptain is picked by the CEO of
the DP World Tour, which isKeith Pelley the players
(21:57):
committee representative, whichwould be David Howe and the past
three Ryder Cup captains, whichof course Padraig Harrington
would be one of those. And hehas the backing looked on for
that. But we shall see the areasof greater little by what's
going on elsewhere,unfortunately, because I do so
(22:18):
unfortunately, because golf isif you look at the PGA tour
right now, you look at the DPWorld Tour right now. They
couldn't be in healthier spots,could they? I mean, look at the
young talent. You look at theworld's top 15 right now, in the
world rankings. You know, it'sfantastic. If you look at the
talent, it's emerged on theChallenge Tour as well. It's
(22:38):
fantastic as well. Butobviously, other people want a
piece of the pie. And I don'tknow about you, Douglas but if
someone said to me, "You'redoing a great job when I'm
hearing you. I'd like to makeyou secure for life by offering
you something else" -- you'd bewilling to listen, wouldn't you?
(22:58):
Human instinct, some might say,and do they actually need more?
Well, I suppose that's down toindividuals to decide, isn't it?
Douglas Maida (23:06):
Pretty heady stuff going on. Richard, what
are some of the things that youwould be on the lookout for are
some things to watch storylines,players, things like that for
2022.
Richard Kaufman (23:19):
Yeah, it disappointing in a way there was
no Q School for the DP WorldTour for 2022. It is later on
and there was for the LadiesEuropean Tour. And of course,
there was Q series for the LPGATour. But there wasn't so in
terms of new talent comingthrough with pretty much reliant
on those that have come throughthe Challenge Tours of top 20 on
(23:41):
the Challenge Tour, securedtheir cards for 2022 on the DP
World Tour. The number oneplayer on that was a Dane,
Marcus Helligkilde who won thefinal event last four months is
is not what can I say a flashyplayer he's a very solid player
(24:02):
is not one that's going to justthrow everything at the flag.
But obviously he's got theKiller Instinct he's a he's a
winner, so he might be one tolook out for.
And in fact, if I'm going topoint out any players I think
I'm going all Danish becauseyou've got the two young
Hjgaard twins, Nicolai andRasmus, who are just fantastic
players and of course already DPWorld Tour winners. It would
(24:24):
surprise me to see why or evenboth of those players make a
push for the 2023 Ryder Cupteam. That's how good they both
are. And I've already shownthemselves to be so those are
some of the players to watch.
And, yeah, you know thetournament's that are going on
right now. we've seen somefantastic events. So then if you
saw the Slync Dubai, there's aclassic at the weekend but what
(24:46):
a fantastic finish that wasunless your a big Rory McIlroy
fan you might have enjoyed it somuch. And Abu Dhabi as well was
a great start to the season soYou know, there's lots to look
forward to on a DP World Tour.
Maybe not quite as much youngtalent coming through as might
have been the case if there hadbeen Q School, but nonetheless,
(25:08):
still plenty to say.
Douglas Maida (25:11):
What can you say poor Rory 24 months ago, he was
on a pretty good little stretchthere, whatnot. So let's hope he
gets back on. He's got Augustacoming up.
Richard Kaufman (25:19):
Yeah, every time Augusta comes around, it's
can the Grand Slam be completed,I think the pressure is taken
off in the longer it goes on. Idon't think that anyone who
would not be delighted to see ordo that?
Douglas Maida (25:32):
Well, right.
Exactly. You don't want to seeit become a situation like Phil
Mickelson in the US Open, right.
I mean it just
Richard Kaufman (25:38):
Well it's incredible, isn't it? I mean,
you wouldn't believe it, butit's nearly eight years. It's
his last major. And he couldnever have thought that back in
2014, that you would still bewaiting here in 2022 for Rory to
win another one. I mean, theguy's got so much talent. He's
such a joy to watch. He's such apleasure to listen to. He's one
of those golfers that I lovehearing speak sometimes I don't
(26:01):
agree with everything he says.
But he generally speaks his mindand is a fantastic sort of role
model. I would say in the worldof golf. I think we're very
lucky to have someone like RoryMcIlroy at the top of the game.
And as a, you know, as a resultof that, I would love I mean,
absolutely love to see him stickon that green jacket at Augusta.
(26:21):
But you do worry. It happened atthe Tour Championship, the DP
World Tour Championship the inNovember at the end, then
European Tour season. It'shappened to start this season to
hear where he's been in winningpositions. And he's let it slip
through his fingers. I hope thatdoesn't chip away his confidence
and self belief.
Douglas Maida (26:41):
Before we move on, and take a quick break, I
wanted to ask you . . . I wasreading Monty's comments a
couple days ago about the nextRyder Cup captain and what do
you make of that?
Richard Kaufman (26:50):
Personnaly, I think Robert Karlsson, Luke
Donald, Henrik Stenson. It'll befabulous Captain. Henrik
Stenson's, I mean, he's got agreat personalities. He's funny,
he's witty, and obviously he hasbeen a big Ryder Cup. Robert
Karlsson has been an assistantmany times obviously played his
(27:11):
part in the Ryder Cup, as wellover the years and Luke Donald
we're talking about a formernumber one who'd probably be, I
would say probably the saferoption. He's very popular
amongst his peers as well. Imean, personally, if you'd asked
me a year ago, I thought it'sgonna it's gonna be Lee Westwood
, but Lee still feels he has thegame to play in a Ryder Cup as
(27:33):
it as he did in the last one.
And you know, this guy's in thetop. The timing isn't quite
right for him to take thatposition right now. So I do
understand, as I said, I read afrom one of the papers in
Scotland today saying, PaulLawrie is a name that should
also be mentioned. What he'sdone for golf in Scotland is
fantastic. He's a mentor to someof the young players coming
(27:56):
through. He's helped produce thetalent has come through in
Scotland. And of course, he's amajor winner and Ryder Cup
player in his own right as well.
But I wouldn't be surprised ifPaul did get the job. I would
say the three that I mentionedtwo Swedes, Karlsson and Stenson
and Luke Donald would be thefavorites, probably Donald
(28:17):
edging ahead of the two Swedes.
Douglas Maida (28:20):
We're gonna take a short break for some
commercial messages. And thenwhen we come back, we're going
(28:44):
to chat a little bit now aboutthe LET series -- the Ladies
(29:22):
European Tour. So we'll be rightback.
(30:04):
Hi, welcome back. And thank youfor staying with us. Now let's
get into the last segment of ourshow. We're going to chat a
little bit about the LadiesEuropean Tour with our guest,
Richard.
Richard, let's get right to thefact that this is going to be
the LET's year, second year, Ibelieve, in partnership with the
LPGA. Did you want to or haveany thoughts or share any ideas
(30:26):
about where it's going and whatyour thought process is with how
successful it's been so far?
Richard Kaufman (30:30):
Yeah, I'm well done to people actually,
sticking with me with merambling on, you've done very
well so far. But I try and tryand keep it entertaining as well
for this for this last month.
It's been it's been fantastic,really, the collaboration
between the Ladies European Tourand the LPGA Tour. I think it's
worked really well the theLadies European Tour, I've been
(30:52):
commentating on and off for theLadies European Tour for over a
decade. I think back in 20082009, first year, I started to
commentate on it when we justdoing kind of nightly
highlights, which would be puton late at night in the UK and
elsewhere across Europe. And I'msure, you know, segments of
highlights but in North Americaas well. And now, I think this
(31:14):
year, I haven't counted it. ButI think I might be covering 1516
either Ladies European Tour LPGAtour events because of course
some of those days I'll be atEvian, the AIG Women's Open and
there's a couple co-sanctionedwith the LPGA Tour like the
Scottish Open and the ISPS HandaWorld Invitation which was won
(31:36):
by Pajaree Anannarukarn, who Iknow you chatted to a little
while back as well. And we'retalking golf, it was great to
hear that. So I think it'sworked really well. I think it
was so, so important for theseEuropean tour.
The more golf the better, moretournaments, the better for my
web. But for the for the youngtalent in Europe coming through.
(31:59):
I fear that the need is EuropeanTour's becoming fragmented, they
would go they play a tournamentand then they'd go a month or
more without playing atournament that they play
another tournament and thenanother month without one. How
do you build up any momentum howthey play to any kind of
consistency when your stop -start, you have more weeks
(32:19):
practicing than you do play agolf tournament. And I feared
for the Ladies European Tours inentity. So when the help came in
from the DP World Tour, as wellas the RNA from the PGA Tour,
but most of course importantlyfrom Mike Whan at the time and
the the LPGA Tour, it was a nobrainer. Of course, it went to
the members, Ladies EuropeanTour players. And thankfully,
(32:43):
and I think quite rightly theyagreed to do given what happened
soon afterwards with COVIDpandemic and shutdown of golf in
Europe. Without it, I don'tthink I'd be heading to their
mind 17 golf tournament orwhatever it is I'm doing with
the Ladies European Tour thisyear, I'd be lucky if there's
three or four events because Idon't think the Ladies European
(33:06):
Tour would be existing anywherenear like it is without it. So I
think it's been a fantasticcollaboration. I hope it
continues to improve. We knowwho the little sister is here.
The LPGA Tour is of course wherethe top players in the world
want to be. But it doesn't meanyou can't have a healthy,
flourishing Ladies European Tourat the same time bringing
(33:27):
through the talent, and itreally is continuing to bring
through the talent. So yeah,fantastic collaboration.
Douglas Maida (33:33):
Yeah, that's great news. You're talking about
the LET. And the challenge ithad with the COVID situation
when it first hit, how valuablewas the Rose Series in terms of
keeping golf going during thatbreak?
Richard Kaufman (33:47):
Yeah, the Rose Ladies Series was important. I
mean, I don't want to overplayit or underplay it for that
matter. But bear in mind, therewere other series going on
various different countries, butin the UK, the important because
for the players on the LadiesEuropean Tour there was based in
(34:08):
the UK, there was no gold forthem to play. They were
tournament's happening on theLPGA Tour, and then there were
majors coming along. And ifthere hadn't been that Rose
Series, then there'd been anumber of players that wouldn't
have had any build up to areally important part of their
schedule. And it was fantasticthat it was an idea that came
around from one of the playersthese young just wanted to put
(34:29):
on an event on a home course ofgolf. Some of the players that
she knows on the Ladies EuropeanTour that are based in the
United Kingdom, and then it waspicked up by one of the
newspapers, the Telegraph in theUnited Kingdom, then that was
picked up by Justin Rose out inthe United States and his wife
Kate, and they got behind it andI just think it's fantastic what
(34:51):
Justin Rose did with that. Iknow he's not the only male
golfer that gets behind ladiesgolf, but he put his money where
his mouth is. And I know itmeant the, to those players, you
know, I got to commentate onsome of those events prior to
the Ladies European Tourresuming. Charlie Hall was
playing southern Georgia Hall,warranty law, and the rank and
(35:14):
file of the 80s. Europeans arefrom the UK that just will have
had the opportunity to one playfor money but two to play
competitively and get themselvesready for the 2020 season when
it resumed in August.
Douglas Maida (35:25):
Yeah, that was fantastic. And Kate's been quite
the leader herself in terms ofrallying everybody around and
getting them active and whatnot.
How are you feeling about the QSchool situation for the Ladies
European Tour this year? I mean,there's been a few players that
come through, are there anynotables you're watching? I know
for me personally, I followedthe Gabby Then's travels because
(35:47):
she had, you know, just missedout on the Q Series here. And
then she went to Europe andmanaged to qualify, I think
finished first even on the toschool series there. And the
other one I've been watching alot is Meghan MacLaren.
Richard Kaufman (36:03):
Well, Meghan's a fantastic writer, and she is
very inspiring. Every time I seeMeghan on the Ladies European
Tour it's great to catch up andtalk to her. She loves golf,
loves sport, and is a fabulousplayer as well. After what she
went through the heartbreak ofmissing out at LPGA Q Series to
(36:24):
come over and get a card toscore on the Ladies European
Tour was fantastic. But I thinkanother boost for for Ladies
Golf was the title sponsorship,new title sponsor for the second
tier of ladies golf in America(the EPSON Tour). So I think
Megan will be playing mainly onthat. I'll be interested to see
what Gabby Then does with herschedule, because I'm sure
(36:47):
she'll try and play some eventsin the United States. But yeah,
looking forward to seeing whatshe does in Europe. It's really
hard to know exactly because Ihaven't seen many of these
players play that one playerthat one the second tier in
Europe, the Access Tour, there'sgoing to be coming a tour player
called Lily May Humphries, who'sa young player with a lot of
potential. And the fact that sheturned pro in June and then was
(37:11):
the number one player on theAccess Tour shows her potential.
She's played Curtis Cup and wasa top amateur.
Then there's a Q School, Becky(Brewerton) played on Solheim
Cup, she came through I mean,it's an incredible story, Becky,
with her struggles from being aSolheim Cup player to someone
who was knocking on the door ofbeing a regular on the LPGA Tour
(37:32):
to completely losing her gameshe had the driving yips didn't
know if he's going left, didn'tefforts going right. Obviously
many times thought aboutquitting the game but is stuck
with it come through and thesigns are that maybe she's gonna
get back I don't know whether toher best because she was one of
the great ball strikers primewhether she can get back to
(37:54):
something close to that it'sgoing to be interesting to see.
And then there's stories likeVirginia Elena Carta, who went
to Duke University could havethen turned pro but did a
postgraduate CambridgeUniversity in environmental
policy. They think there's toomany Cambridge graduates that
are graduated for the for theladies European so but she's
(38:17):
already before were on theladies Europeans. Like Meghan
MacLaren, Pauline RousseinBouchard went to Q Series in
America qualified came to yourquantified again. She's already
a Ladies European Tour winner,she looks like she's going to be
a fantastic golfer. So those aresome of the players that are
(38:38):
Q-School, come through theAccess Tour
So unlike the DP World Tour wetalked about earlier, there is
going to be this fresh talentcoming through in European golf
amongst the women. Because whatthey've done as well, they
changed the way the policy ofthe Ladies European Tour. So you
(38:58):
had to be top 40 on the race toCosta del Sol last season to be
in the top echelons of the tourso guaranteed starts, then
they've gone to the next the top20 Q-School and then they've
gone to 40 to 60 in in the Orderof Merit to guarantee your
start. So they're giving thatfresh Q School players a really
(39:21):
good chance of keeping their carbecause I think in the old days
it was only the top five thatcame in next as opposed to the
top 20.
Douglas Maida (39:32):
Where do the LET Access players fit in that
scheme? Richard?
Richard Kaufman (39:36):
The Access players I think they come after
the top 60. I can't rememberoff the top of my head but I
think I'm correct in sayingthat.
Douglas Maida (39:45):
And you mentioned Becky. I didn't catch her last
name what was
Richard Kaufman (39:49):
sorry say again Douglas.
Douglas Maida (39:51):
You had mentioned Becky trying to is making a bit
of a comeback and gettinggetting her game in shape again.
I didn't quite catch Becky'slast name He had a reformer
cutting out.
Richard Kaufman (40:02):
Yeah, Becky Brewerton. So the player that
played Solheim Cup 2009 Ibelieve. Welsh golfer fantastic
ball striker and just wentthrough a horrendous time
mentally in terms of her drivingfor a number of years and it's
(40:27):
only really the last few yearsshe's managed to break it down
if you if you want to read moreabout Becky's story she I think
she has her own website which iswell worth a look and she's
written blogs on it. It's afantastic read. She's a
brilliant talker as well. So ifyou I'm sure there are some
interviews that you can find onYouTube too with her. Well
worth a listen because she'sreally good at describing both
(40:48):
in word and in audio as well, toget back to where she is now.
Douglas Maida (40:54):
Right Okay, well that's something we can
definitely look at do for sure.
There's another young playerthat seems to be making a little
bit of a splash Richard, I'mtrying to remember her name off
the top my head and I'm notdoing a very good job of it. I
believe her first name isChiara.
Richard Kaufman (41:10):
Chiara Noja Yeah. 15 years of age. She's
based out in Dubai, very tall; Igot to watch her at the Dubai
couple of events in Saudi at theend of last year. She didn't get
a card through our LadiesEuropean Tour Q-School but got a
couple of starts last year.
Hopefully she'll get some startsthis year on the Ladies European
Tour I'm sure she'll play someof the events on the access
(41:31):
series as well. I mean, to turnpro at the age of 15.
questionable whether you thinkthat's too young or not. Listen,
look at the player that won atthe weekend - Lydia Ko? I think
she did all right by turning proat such a young age. Lexi
Thompson's another one as well.
(41:53):
But there's no doubt about it.
This girl's got a quarter agobecause she is at the age of 15.
An athlete already at the hertender age. And she has all the
tools to have a very goodcareer. Obviously, there are no
guarantees, but she appears tohave a good team behind her. I
managed to speak briefly withtheir parents as well when I was
in Dubai too. And they seemlike, you know, very down to
(42:16):
earth people. You know, not thepushy parent kind of people who
I'm sure Chiara grounded. Yeah,she's got all of the chances
having a great future ahead ofher we shall see.
Douglas Maida (42:29):
And then the LET had a couple of its more notable
players graduate onto the LPGAwas probably, at least in the
case of Atthaya Thitikul,definitely with enough priority
to be playing regularly on theLPGA. Is there going to be a
little bit of a hole do youthink on the LET.
Richard Kaufman (42:50):
No, because as I mentioned already with the
access tour with the Q School aswell, that there's so much
talent coming through. So here'ssome players they're going to be
playing on the Ladies EuropeanTour this year, the player that
couldn't play a tour last yearbecause of a back injury. The
finished second on the orderAmerican the year before young
Swedish player called JuliaEngstrom who is a fantastic ball
(43:15):
striker. Mentioned Becky, a fewstruggles with the putting yips.
I'm off to Kenya in a week orso. And she's making a comeback
there a tournament where she ledby seven shots going into the
final round and last to EstherHenselite. In heartbreaking
fashion. She struggled healthwise that week and struggled
with her putter that week,especially in that last round
(43:38):
but has the talent to be aSolheim cup player. And Julia's
coming back from injury after ayear out. Pia Babnik is only 17
years she could well be thelongest player on the Ladies
European Tour. She hits it outthere with some of the longest
players on the LPGA Tour. She's17 She's already a winner on the
(44:00):
Ladies European Tour. She couldhave gone to Q series at the end
of the year because the top fiveplayers from the Ladies European
Tour got into Q series soAtthaya Thitikul went, Olivia
Cowan went, Sanna Nuutinen went,Steff Kyriacou went, and all got
their card, shows the strengthof the Ladies European Tour.
(44:20):
Pia Babnik could have gonebecause I think she finished
third on the rankings or fourth.
I can't remember off the top ofmy head at this stage. But she
finished in the top five forcertain that she decided that
she wanted to do studies, stayin Europe for another year. And
we're going to be very fortunateto have her I mentioned already
Lily May Humphreys, whose was anamateur star already won a
(44:41):
couple of times on the accesstour.
And then there's Maya Starkanother Swedish player. I
think in July or August lastyear, won two of the first three
events on the Ladies EuropeanTour, finished sixth on the
rankings in just about six orseven events. Incredible,
another prodigious hitter. Andso the talent just, you know,
(45:05):
there's going to be names comingthrough that I haven't
mentioned. There's going to beplenty of players who are going
to be entertaining us, producingthe goods. And then you've got
the Aramco Team Series events.
The co-sanctioned event with theDP World Tour, which are the
Scandinavia Mixed co-sanctionedevents with Scotland and in
Northern Ireland at the ISPSHanda Invitational where the so
(45:28):
called bigger name players havecome across her last year. You
know, we ended the year in Saudiwith Lydia Ko winning. We've
seen Lexi Thompson and CharlieHull, and Georgia Hall -- all
the big name players playing inEuropean in 2021. I expect more
of the same at 22. But will thatyoung talent coming through as
(45:50):
well? It's, it's great to see.
Douglas Maida (45:55):
The LET is definitely on the way up again.
And that's great to see. I mean,there's -- and it's gonna make
for tremendous competition inthe Ryder Cup. So, pardon me
Solheim Cup.
Richard Kaufman (46:06):
Well it is. I mean, how incredible was that
last year at the Inverness club.
And of course Emily Pedersen isanother player that that Ladies
European Tour last season camethrough Q Series has now got her
card on the LPGA Tour again,Emily's another fabulous book
striker who I hope can now showher talent on the biggest stage
(46:29):
and let's face it, it is thebiggest stage of the the LPGA
tour but the Ladies EuropeanTour is doing a fantastic job of
now having a regular run ofevents and making these players
game ready for when they do takethe next step. The fact that for
the top five players wereallowed to go to LPGA Q-Series,
only four of them went and all Ithink that result in itself
(46:50):
shows you the health the way theLadies European Tour is in good
health.
Douglas Maida (46:58):
I mentioned Solheim Cup. Any last thoughts
about Suzann Pettersen iscaptain and playing in
Andalucia?
Richard Kaufman (47:06):
Yeah, looking forward to that, I think that
course is in next year. SuzannPettersen, I assume will be an
entertaining captain. She's hadher moments in the Solheim Cup.
Some not so good. Some prettyYeah. I'm interested to see
who the US captain is going tobe alongside her. I hope it's
Cristie Kerr; that would make aninteresting clash of the
(47:27):
captains in itself. Cristie'ssomeone that I've interviewed on
my own podcast before, actuallyCristie Kerr, and yeah, she was
fabulous to talk to and she wasvery much when I spoke to her.
This was a couple of years ago,very, very strong in that she
wanted to be a Solheim Cupcaptain. So I'm sure if she was,
(47:47):
oh, it's something she wouldtake. I think there's took
potentially it might be StacyLewis. But I still feel Stacy
has got the game to play in theSolheim cup personally, but
yeah, we'll see. Suzann isgoing to be a fabulous captain.
She's going to be she's highlyrespected by the players that
will play for her. Of course,she's been an assistant for the
last couple. She's now retired,but she's still very much
(48:10):
involved in the game. And yeah,looking forward to seeing what
the European team can do nextseason because it was an
incredible win for them in theUnited States. And I think at
the moment, the European teamhave got a bit of a grip on the
Solheim Cup. And obviously, Istay neutral when I'm
commentating. But talking to youright now I can say long may it
(48:30):
continue?
Douglas Maida (48:33):
Well, the European side seems to be a
little bit more in theascendancy right now. That's for
sure. You know, the crop ofyounger players. And you know
what we neither of us evenmentioned Leona Maguire. And
yet, there she is right there inthe thick of it all.
Richard Kaufman (48:47):
Oh, I'm looking forward to seeing what she does
this for the LPGA tour becauseevery year Leona McGuire
improves last year she came soclose to winning in majors, is
so close to winning in regularLPGA tour events. So I'm
expecting Leona Maguire to winthis season on the LPGA Tour.
Douglas Maida (49:03):
She's definitely been knocking on the door and
that would be a naturalprogression for her for sure.
Richard, we're coming to the endof our show. Let me ask you,
what's next for you? What's yournext event? And what do you have
"on the go" for in terms of yourpodcast and other things like
(49:23):
that?
Richard Kaufman (49:24):
Well, the podcast is is on the back
burner. So if anyone wants tocheck it out to the 'Round Golf'
podcast and basically they'retimeless podcasts, I hope so
even though some of themrecorded even a couple of years
ago. The premise of the podcastis the round golf podcast it
starts with the round that wasthe most important round in the
(49:45):
player's career. So if you'reinterested the ladies game,
there's a -- I do everything inperson with Mel Reid Cristie
Kerr, Lizette Salas, CatrinaMatthew, Karrie Webb. Laura
Davies, of course we talkedabout the Golf but with Lizette
Salas, we have a good chat aboutDonald Trump, for example.
Cristie Kerr about the bullyingshe received. Mel Reid about how
(50:07):
she came out and what that meantto her. Laura Davies was just a
fabulous chat -- I get to work,it's joy is to work with Laura
Davies, when I'm commentating.
And she was just a fabulousAnd in the men's side, there's
major champions like Davis Loveinterview.
and Padraig, Harrington and GaryPlayer, but there's also some
players you might not have heardof, you just got the most
(50:28):
amazing stories. I actually wasbrought to tears in one of them
with a guy called Marc Cayeux,you may or may not have heard of
him, he cried, I cried. And itkind of, for me personally
ruined the podcast a bit becauseI kind of lost it, which I'm not
supposed to do as an interview.
But his story is just soshocking and amazing. That he
reduced me to that. And, youknow, with Gary Player, you
(50:53):
know, talk about arpartheid, youknow, cover topics of dyslexia
and epilepsy, and all all kindsof things. So yeah, if you want
to check that out, it's theround golf podcast, so I'm not
doing any more of those.
I am off for my First LadiesEuropean Tour event next week.
So I'm off to Kenya in Africa,East Africa. Some journey it is
(51:15):
as well via I can't remember,via Ethiopia, to Kenya and then
it's a couple of hours drivefrom Mombasa, to the venue,
which is Topingo Ridge whichI've been to a couple of years
ago when Esther Henseliet pippedJulia Engstrom to the title. So
both of those players are in thefield for that looking forward.
(51:37):
Then we'll be covering some --I'm doing an Asian Tour event in
the beginning of March and thendoing another Ladies European
Tour event. And then I'll bestarting my first event on the
DP World Tour at the end ofMarch.
So yeah, it gets going properlyfor me from next week, really,
(51:57):
in terms of the golf. In themeantime, here I'm doing some
football or soccer matches,depending where you are. In the
United Kingdom, I do somebroadcast coaching for sportsmen
and women who want to get intothe media as something towards
their end of their career. SoI'll be doing some of that as
well. And obviously trying toentertain my children, you've
(52:21):
got to see me for the lastcouple of months because I've
been at home most of December inJanuary. And I'm sure they're
looking forward to bidding mefarewell as I go on my trips,
kicking Dad out of the house.
Douglas Maida (52:33):
Okay, well, that sounds great. You got a very
busy schedule and getting backto life on the road again.
Fantastic. Is there any, anyother last words you'd like to
share with us, Richard or?
Richard Kaufman (52:43):
No, no Douglas.
its just been a pleasure. Ihope. It's been entertaining for
anyone who's been listening tothis all the way to the end.
Good luck with your podcast aswell. I think it's terrific what
you do Douglas. I know, youcover a lot of the stories in
the ladies game in particular.
And I just, you know, when I wasdoing my podcast, I was very
keen to make sure that there wasas many men, as many women as
(53:07):
there was men for it as well.
Golfing world now is takingladies golf, not saying they
weren't taking it seriouslybefore, but I think in terms of
commercially, I think peopletake, are taking women's golf
more seriously on a commerciallevel. And I think that's only
quite right, because the talentis there. And these players
deserve the platform. You know,one of the big stories in the
last six months has been theprize fund offered to the women
(53:29):
at the AIG Women's Open, they'regonna be paying for $6.8 million
at Muirfield in the summer, andat the US Women's Open, they're
going to be paying for $10million. The prize funds have
increased on the LPGA Tour. Andthey know more than they deserve
the products there. Hopefullypeople get watching and you
know, more people talk about it,the more people know it's there,
(53:50):
hopefully the more eyes that goon it. And hopefully those that
are talking over it like myselfdo a good job, good enough job
to justify it.
Douglas Maida (54:02):
Well, I'm sure that'll continue. Thank you very
much, Richard, we reallyappreciate it. Thank you for
being on the show. It's beenfantastic. I'll just apologize
to our audience a little bitabout quality of the internet
and our, our broadcast a littlebit. So, but you know, what can
you do? I mean, there's the timezone. We've got all of this
going on. And we're so lucky tohave you as a guest. So thank
(54:23):
you so much, Richard. Appreciateit.
Richard Kaufman (54:26):
Absolutely pressure. Absolutely.
Douglas Maida (54:28):
Thanks. And, ladies and gentlemen, that's our
show. Thank you so much forjoining us. And we will see you
in a couple of weeks. Andremember if you're playing golf,
keep that ball on the shortgrass.
Richard Kaufman (54:39):
You have been listening to our podcast show
we're talking golf produced bythe world of golf. This episode
was recorded on Tuesday,February 1 2022. If you have an
idea for a future show, pleasesend us an email to info at
World of golf.org Please includepodcast show in the subject
(55:00):
Tonight, this show is thecopyright of the world of golf.
Thank you for joining us.
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