BANK OF HOPE LPGA MATCH-PLAY

May 26, 2021

Celine Boutier

Shadow Creek

Quick Quotes

Q. Celine Boutier, 4&2 winner over Gaby Lopez on day one of the Bank of Hope LPGA Match Play. Six holes where you guys were all square and then you took a couple, Gaby took a couple, and then you made a nice run at the end. Take us through just the opening start before you kind of got hot on 7 and 8.

CELINE BOUTIER: Yeah, it was a tough match. I feel like Gaby is very good player, very steady, at the beginning we kind of made a lot of pars. Some of them are not easy holes so just had some good saves. Then couple of opportunities came on towards the end of the back nine for me, so I managed to take advantage of those, and I think that was crucial to get the momentum going.

And I think that helped me also towards the end, because I think we made couple of bogeys towards the middle end of the round. So these two holes I took on the front kind of helped me to stay ahead.

Q. How tough is Shadow Creek?

CELINE BOUTIER: It's pretty tough. I mean, it's such a good course but greens are very firm and pretty undulated, so I feel like the approach shots are very key, and obviously hitting on the fairway helps a lot.

But it's -- I mean, it's a great golf course. It's a good challenge.

Q. What was the mindset coming into this week?

CELINE BOUTIER: I was just really excited to come play the course because I had heard so much about this tournament. I had seen it a little bit on TV, so I was just excited to see the course. Then obviously match play anything can happen. Just take it one day at a time and do my best every day.

Q. You competed on Solheim. I'm sure you've heard this question a bunch, but competed on Europe's Solheim team in 2019, and this is almost an audition for some players out here who want to get back on the team like you. How exciting is it to have an opportunity to showcase your talent in a match play setting and kind of get a first taste of what Solheim will be like later this year?

CELINE BOUTIER: Yeah, it is exciting. I try not to think too far ahead because it usually stresses me out. I knew this is coming. If I perform well this week obviously it's going to help me get back on the team, so you will just have this little extra motivation to do well.

Q. You jumped out 3-up and then -- oh, 2-up. So you were up 3 after No. 10?

CELINE BOUTIER: 10, yeah.

Q. And then Gaby got one back and then you closed with two holes to win it on 15 and 16?

CELINE BOUTIER: Uh-huh.

Q. To finish strong like that, have you ever drawn back on your past match play experiences heading into this week to be able to perform like you did today and perform so well?

CELINE BOUTIER: Yeah, I mean, growing up in Europe amateur golf was a lot of match play, whether it was like team championships or like even British Amateur and U.S. Amateur, so I'm used to this format. I am kind of used to this format. I kind of like it because it forces you to stay present, and even if you're a couple holes ahead you know it can go both ways pretty quick.

You have to stay patient, and especially on this course. The holes are pretty tough. So you know that if you hit some good shots and sometimes just make par, it's enough. Just I think just to have the mindset of staying focused one hole at a time and not get too far ahead of yourself is key.

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