LPGA DRIVE ON CHAMPIONSHIP

March 26, 2023

Celine Boutier

Superstition Mountain Golf and Country Club

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Here with Celine Boutier after her victory at the LPGA Drive On Championship. Congratulations.

CELINE BOUTIER: Thank you.

Q. Your third victory on tour and first playoff victory. Take us through the round today and the emotions that you felt being a winner here at the Drive On Championship.

CELINE BOUTIER: Yeah, it was definitely very interesting round. I feel like I started really well with the birdies on 2 and 3 and then kind of slowed down a little bit.

Had a bogey I think on 6.

Then just managed to get some good saves, especially down the stretch.

And then one birdie on 13 and nice finish on 18 with a birdie to be able to go in the playoff.

So I feel like I definitely wasn't playing my best, but I managed to make the most of what I had.

Q. How nervous were you on 18 making that birdie to force the playoff?

CELINE BOUTIER: Yeah, I think I was a little bit nervous, but not as much as I expected or I thought I was going to be. I feel like I was just really focused. I had a really tough chip from the right with a break from right to left, so I was just trying to get as close as I could.

Then the five- or six-footer was definitely a little bit of pressure, but I feel like it was -- I feel like I just was trying to make a solid stroke, and then if it goes in, it goes in.

Q. Are you a scoreboard watcher? Late in the round were you watching?

CELINE BOUTIER: I'm not, no. I think I was also just trying to focus on my own game. I feel like a lot of times in this position I think too much ahead and I feel like it's stressing me out more than anything.

So I know what I have to do out there, and I just try to focus on hitting the best shots I could.

Q. Yesterday you said that you felt like your game was good enough. Does this validate the confidence you were starting to feel?

CELINE BOUTIER: Yeah, I think it's definitely not easy to win. I feel like my game was good enough for the past couple years for sure. I just wasn't able to win. I feel like it's something you need to learn.

I definitely had a bunch of opportunities last year and wasn't able to do it, so to be able to do it this early in the season this year is definitely very satisfying.

Q. I'm just curious, how different does playing 18 in a playoff feel versus in regulation? Is it dramatically different? Looked like you played to it same. Did it feel different?

CELINE BOUTIER: Definitely a little bit more nerve-wracking. I think the first few rounds you know that it's a birdie hole, but then I feel like once you're in contention and you know how every stroke counts, it's definitely a little bit more added pressure for sure.

Q. You're now the winningest golfer in French history. Congratulations.

CELINE BOUTIER: Thank you.

Q. I want to know how that feels and also how amazing it was to have Anne Marie Palli following you today?

CELINE BOUTIER: Yeah, it was kind of unbelievable. I knew she was coming because she came yesterday and she lives in Phoenix. She's always cheering on the Frenchies. I really appreciate her support. She told me she had won this tournament, too, so it's definitely a little bit more special to be able to win after her.

And then yeah, super happy to finally get my third win.

Q. I feel like you came so close a handful of times but you never lost it, you got just got beat. Today, made that bogey. How determined were you to not let this one go?

CELINE BOUTIER: Yeah, definitely not easy because I feel like I'm just doing my best, but sometimes the harder you try the worse it is because you just have to sometimes let go of the result and just focus on what you can control.

And then after I made my putt and I went into the playoff I definitely also was thinking, if I'm going to miss my flight I'm going to make sure I win this thing. I'm not losing and missing my flight, so I was definitely having a little bit more motivation this there.

Q. From the playoff with Georgia Hall, Solheim Cup teammate, is it tougher playing against somebody you've been a teammate with?

CELINE BOUTIER: Yeah, I was honestly not looking forward to it. It's a bittersweet feeling because you obviously want to win, but at the same time I really think she's an amazing player. I feel like she's a great person, too.

She is a really good friend of mine. So I feel like it's not always easy, but I also I'm a little bit competitive so I feel like I definitely want to win as well.

But it's not the greatest feeling.

Q. Does this kind of validate your place on tour now? I feel like you've won twice. Now I feel like beating a player like Georgia and playing this well against this field this week, do you feel validated with this win?

CELINE BOUTIER: Yeah, it's definitely very gratifying. I think it's very much a little bit of a relief because I feel like I just -- I've been trying to win for few years now. I guess it's been two years. Was definitely a little bit -- feeling a little bit down at times and a little bit frustrated thinking, can I actually do it?

To be able to do to this week, like you said, with this strong of a field is definitely very good for confidence.

THE MODERATOR: Thank you so much.

CELINE BOUTIER: Thank you.