After her third round on Saturday, Celine Boutier admitted she was playing “mind games” with herself, trying hard to pretend that the 2023 Amundi Evian was just another tournament, similar to the countless events she’s played since becoming an LPGA rookie in 2017.
“I was kind of half-joking, but I feel like the fact that my family is here and we’re staying in a house 15, 20 minutes away kind of really helps me take my mind off golf and the tournament,” Boutier said on Saturday. “I feel like that’s been helpful for me to really kind of relax and not think about golf.”
But alas, this was no ordinary event. And Boutier delivered an extraordinary performance — one that her countrymen will remember for a long time.
Capping off a dream week, the native of Clamart, France, stormed to her first major championship on home soil, taking the crown at the 2023 Amundi Evian Championship by a comfortable margin. With fans cheering wildly at Evian Resort Golf Club, Boutier finished the tournament at 14 under, marking a six-stroke victory over runner-up Brooke Henderson.
Even with a three-stroke edge heading into the final round, Boutier came storming out of the gates on Sunday, posting birdies on three of the first five holes to run away from the field. Boutier, who insisted all week that a victory at the Evian would be a dream scenario, brought three LPGA titles into the week and three Ladies European Tour wins as well, including the French Open in 2021.
Show us the way, @celineboutier
She knocked in a birdie on 15 and proceeded to hit her tee shot HERE on 16! pic.twitter.com/1CSBPRSrfr
— LPGA (@LPGA) July 30, 2023
But this was clearly the crowning achievement of an already impressive career. Fans, organizers and even local media seemed moved by the magnitude of the victory, one that put the spotlight on French golf.
“Honestly, it has been my biggest dream ever since I started watching golf,” Boutier said after holing out a par putt on the 18th hole. “This tournament has always been very special to me, just even watching as a teenager and just to be able to hold this trophy, it’s pretty unbelievable.”
When asked if this title could be a springboard to bigger things this season, Boutier explained that this was the thing she coveted dearly.
“I think nothing else matters now that I have this trophy,” she said. “So I’m really good for the rest of the year.”
Celine Boutier of France looks on during the Final Round of the Amundi Evian Championship at Evian Resort Golf Club on July 30, 2023, in Evian-les-Bains, France. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
Henderson, meanwhile, appeared to making a run on the front nine, as she used birdies on the fourth and ninth holes to get to 9 under, but a bogey on No. 12 seemed to take any steam out of her charge. She finished at 8 under for the tournament and 1 under for the day.
The Canadian has enjoyed plenty of success at this event, posting six top-25 finishes, but has yet to capture the crown.
“I love coming here to France. The atmosphere, the people are amazing. This course is so beautiful and a lot of fun to play,” Henderson said. “I feel like we have a good strategy for it now which is exciting. To finish I think T2 this year is amazing after coming off the win last year. I’m really proud of that. Celine played amazing, so really happy for her too.”
Nelly Korda, who fired a 64 on Saturday, didn’t enjoy as much success in the final round, shooting a 72 to finish 5 under, pushing her into a crowded tie for ninth with Rose Zhang, Atthaya Thitikul, Megan Khang and Su Ji Kim.
Source: Golfweek https://ift.tt/KI0Fl4V