FREED GROUP WOMEN'S SCOTTISH OPEN

August 1, 2023

Celine Boutier

Dundonald Links

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: We are pleased to be joined by Ms. Celine Boutier, the newest Major Champion on the LPGA Tour.

Celine, what has the last two days been like since coming off the green at the Evian Championship?

CELINE BOUTIER: Very overwhelming. I feel like it was incredible to be able to share my win with my family and obviously with the fans and stuff like that.

But yeah, the past few days, I've been really overwhelmed by the amount of support and people reaching out and being really genuinely happy for me. Just absolutely a dream come true.

THE MODERATOR: You went back to Paris after your win last night and you said, I couldn't fall asleep because I was too excited. What are the emotions you had sitting in a car for 5 1/2 hours as you kind of travelled to the next place?

CELINE BOUTIER: Yeah, it kind of went by pretty fast actually. Just, you know, being able to share different memories or emotions with my parents, my sister and yeah, just being able to also, you know, talk about just the different videos and stuff like that was really fun, and yeah, was just way too excited and overwhelmed by the fact that I had done it; that it was hard to like just settle and just sit still.

THE MODERATOR: Now being on site here, have you been able to see people, and what have you heard from other players and other major champions?

CELINE BOUTIER: Yeah, I just got to the course. I did run into Suzann Pettersen in the players lounge, which was really cool because she won the tournament, as well. It was just really fun to be able to have this conversation with her and really heart warming to see all the other players and caddies and stuff just congratulate me.

THE MODERATOR: Was there something that stood out to you about the week?

CELINE BOUTIER: Just watching the last final putt and the amount of champagne that got thrown on me actually was actually pretty mind-blowing. I just didn't realise it was going to be that much.

Yeah, it did look like a lot and it felt like a lot and it felt like watching it was kind of fun.

THE MODERATOR: You finished second at this event last year, coming off a major championship win. What is it like to be back at Dundonald Links?

CELINE BOUTIER: It's definitely great memories. I felt like I played very solid and it was the first year on this course, so I feel like it was really good memories for me. I think I always enjoy playing links course, so I'm really looking forward to the challenge. I think it's going to be very different conditions than last week.

So just excited to get back at it and yeah, try to keep the ball low.

Q. Congratulations on your win. You said it was a dream come true. For it to happen in France and the way you did it, did it exceed expectations? Was it greater than you even thought?

CELINE BOUTIER: It definitely was, actually. I never really pictured how it was going to happen. Obviously it was such a dream for me. I wouldn't even call it a goal for me this year. I obviously wanted to perform well in the majors.

But in the past I was never really able to play well in Evian, just the pressure of everything was a lot for me to handle and this year, I just decided to really do it for myself and not put so much pressure on myself.

The fact that I even had a chance to play for the win in the final round was a big advantage for me and to pull it off on the final day to, have the crowd behind you, which I never imagined that they would be so loud and so energetic, so passionate about it. It felt like a win for me and it felt like a win for them as well. To be able to share it with everyone in my home country is an absolute dream come true.

Q. The airlines don't recognise you're a Major Champion yet; you're golf clubs are not here.

CELINE BOUTIER: Unfortunately, yes. First day off for me today, but hopefully they will get on the next flight that's coming tonight.

Q. I think last week was your 15th title as a professional. What difference did you feel being a major winner, as opposed to winning just a regular LPGA Tour event?

CELINE BOUTIER: I think winning at any level is difficult. I think especially on the LPGA, the talent is just unbelievable and it's very hard to be able to pull it off, and to be able to do it in major conditions is even harder because of the pressure and because of what it means because of the history.

And so I feel like, yeah, the fact that I had a chance to even play for the win on Sunday was already a big win for me, and to have the crowd behind you, I feel like it definitely also like carried me a little bit.

Q. What extra pressure did you feel going into the final day, given the situation?

CELINE BOUTIER: I think it was because I was leading. I feel like people were kind of expecting me to do it. I think that was probably the hardest. The fact that, also, they wanted it as much, probably, as I did. I didn't want to disappoint anybody, so that's also something I had to kind of put aside and not really think about it too much to be able to play my best.

Q. In terms of preparation for this week, British Open next week, and Solheim Cup as well. Your form is excellent at the moment. What are you most looking forward to this year in the Solheim?

CELINE BOUTIER: Just to be able to share the week with my teammates. I feel like it's always so individual and so self-centered, so to be able to share it with other players for a common goal, for the continent of your open, to be playable to play in Spain on the Continent, like European soil is something I haven't experienced since 2019.

So I'm just really looking forward to it. I feel like it's going to be such an enjoyable week, and yes, it's always a lot of fun.

Q. Hoping there will be a Scot joining you in Spain with Gemma Dryburgh. Have you been impressed with Gemma's form overall this year? And top ten finish last week, as well.

CELINE BOUTIER: I actually haven't shared a round with her in a while. I don't think I was paired with her a lot this year, but she's definitely been playing really well and getting really a lot of consistency and definitely seen her up there quite a few times.

So I'm sure -- I have no doubt that she should be part of the team, but yeah, she's a great player and very good -- very good person, too.

Q. Partly because the The Women's Open next week is at Walton Heath, which isn't a links course, some of the other top players haven't come here this week. Why did you decided to come? Do you feel it's perfect preparation for you, even though it's links the next week and then inland next week?

CELINE BOUTIER: I had a very good week last year on this course. I feel like I really enjoy playing in links course.

And I feel like even though Walton Heath is not going to be like links, traditional links, I feel like it's still good to be in the U.K. and Scotland and to be able to get a feel for the wind and weather and stuff like that. I feel like it was going to be a good week to prepare for the British.

Q. And you were part of the winning team at Solheim at Gleneagles. What would it mean to go one better than last year and win an individual event this week in Scotland on your own?

CELINE BOUTIER: Yeah, that would be unbelievable. I feel like Scotland is definitely the Home of Golf, so it would Dell be a goal of mine to win in Scotland for sure during my career.

So any opportunity I will have to play for the win, I will definitely try to seize it and do my best.

THE MODERATOR: One more from me.

As we were talking, I saw your mom and your sister walking behind. Were they always planning on joining you in Scotland or was this just part of the major victory celebration?

CELINE BOUTIER: Yeah, they were. My parents always come on the European swings, just the three events in Europe that are closer to home, they always come. My sister happened to have vacation, so yes, she also decided to tag along, so they will be with me for the next two weeks.