HILTON GRAND VACATIONS TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS

January 20, 2022

Celine Boutier

Lake Nona Golf & Country Club

Quick Quotes

Q. Here with Celine Boutier, who just opened up the season at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions with a 2-under 70. I asked you how your off-season was. You said, Too good. You played well. Tell us about your off-season and getting back to play. How do you feel you did today?

CELINE BOUTIER: Yeah, off-season was good. I don't remember having an off-season this long in a long time, so it was just nice to be able to completely take my mind off golf.

You just get used to not doing much, so it's kind of nice. I mean, of course I'm happy to be back, especially on this golf course, such a good track.

And then just the tournament itself is one of my favorites because just so much fun to be able to with the celebrities and all that.

So just happy to be back and good opening round for me I thought. Obviously some stupid bogeys, but I feel like overall I was pretty happy with my game.

Q. You seem to be having a lot of fun out here with Maurice Allen. Tell us what the experience is like playing alongside the celebs with the fans and the music and a little more lighthearted way to kick off the year.

CELINE BOUTIER: Yeah, it's definitely a really nice atmosphere. Maurice is super nice. I didn't know him before. I thought it was pretty funny, because he's a long driver and I'm known to not be very long, so it was kind of funny that we were paired together.

He's so nice and we definitely had a good time.

Q. About how far was he outdriving you?

CELINE BOUTIER: I kind of didn't even try to count because it was too depressing. He almost like drove 18 and I think he only hit the driver like three times because most of the par-4s were like too short for him to hit the driver, which is insane to think about.

It was great experience to be able to see. It sounds different, just looks different. He told me his driver is like a four degree loft, which is kind of unreal.

But it's a different world.

Q. So overall, you've started the season now; you said you had some bogeys out there, but how do you feel is the state of your game as you start the season?

CELINE BOUTIER: You know, I feel like it's -- I was a little bit worried coming into the tournament, but I feel like I've just got to pace myself. I know the season is super long, and you just got to be able to maintain, and hopefully get a little bit better after each week and just get the momentum going.