FREED GROUP WOMEN'S SCOTTISH OPEN

August 4, 2023

Celine Boutier

Dundonald Links

Quick Quotes

Q. What a great start to this tournament you're having. Obviously, yesterday, you played in some pretty strong wind, and this morning it's pretty windy still. But it doesn't seem to be a problem for you. So tell me about what's going right for you out there at the moment.

CELINE BOUTIER: Yeah, I feel like this morning was definitely a little bit less windy than yesterday. And I feel like I had a lot of birdie chances, more birdies than yesterday. So that was that pretty positive. And, yeah, I feel like my game is in place. So I'm just hoping to keep going for the weekend.

Q. The conditions would you say were a little bit easier out there this morning than they were yesterday?

CELINE BOUTIER: Yeah, I think for sure, I feel like. I started at 7:20. So I feel like my first, you know, five, six holes were definitely very good. And it started picking up a little bit for sure, but it's not even close to what it was yesterday.

Q. How were the energy levels? Because obviously you had that huge week the other week. How are you keeping it going? How are you feeling physically and mentally?

CELINE BOUTIER: Yeah, pretty tired, not going to lie. It was very tough to find some energy on the last nine, but I was able to finish the round, and I'm just going to do my best to rest for the weekend.

Q. Because the weather is closing in for the weekend. A lot of rain is expected. The wind is going to drop slightly, but there's a lot of rain coming. So there's going to be quite a lot of effort from you to keep that going for the last two days, isn't it?

CELINE BOUTIER: Yeah, I think so. I mean, it's part of the game. I think it's going to be a little bit more challenging with the rain, for sure. But I'm just going to -- yeah, I'm going to try to see my physio, get some rest and be ready for tomorrow.

Q. We saw it with Allisen after the U.S. Women's Open, but for her to come out, she finished with the second in her next event. We see you towards the top of the leaderboard in this event right here. I know you just talked about losing some of those energy levels on the last nine. What do you do on the course to just power through those last couple holes, knowing that there's been a lot going on for you over the last couple of days?

CELINE BOUTIER: Yeah, definitely eat and drink, make sure I'm hydrated. And I feel like also a big thing for me is just not to overthink and feel sorry for myself and how tired I am, just try to not think about it.

Q. Obviously you've talked about kind of riding the momentum from your win. You say your game is in good form at the moment. What is it about your game that you think you've been able to successfully convert into a course like this?

CELINE BOUTIER: I think my long game has been very solid. I feel like I've hit a lot of fairways and a lot of greens. So I feel like it's been very solid, especially with the windy conditions and stuff. I was able to control the ball decently well, so I feel like that definitely helped me.

Q. How much did that birdie streak towards your round today really help get that momentum continuing for you?

CELINE BOUTIER: Yeah, it was very nice. I feel like it's windy, but it's a little bit more manageable today. And so I was kind of eager to get at it and get a few more birdies going.

I did make a few bogeys, but I feel like that's going to happen regardless. And so, yeah, just trying to keep positive for the weekend.

Q. You're in contention here again for the second-year run. What is it about this course that brings the best out in you, what do you feel?

CELINE BOUTIER: I think just the windy conditions just force me really to focus and be really committed in each shot. And it's sometimes a little bit easier for me when it's windy because my ball strike is a little bit lower than average, I would say.

So, I mean, yeah, I feel like it's also suiting my eyes. It's very demanding, but it's fair. So, yeah, I feel like I've -- I feel pretty comfortable.

Q. Some people take time to get used to links golf and like links golf. Did you like it the first time you came here as an amateur, and when was that?

CELINE BOUTIER: Yeah, I didn't get it for a few years. I played in a few of the amateur events when I was junior, and it definitely took me a while to learn and to really appreciate it.

But I feel like the past few years I've been enjoying it more and more. So I think it's growing on me for sure.

Q. Was there one event you remember that you thought, I do now like it, it's now grown on you? Is there one event you look back on and you think, I now like links golf and I can play links golf?

CELINE BOUTIER: I don't think it was just like one event. It kind of came like over time. Like I feel -- I think I just didn't really understand because it's so different than how I play it in France.

So I feel like the more you play, I think it's actually more exciting because I feel like it's less boring, you play a different course every day.

And, yeah, like I said, I feel like it's really, really important to be a good ball-striker in these conditions because you really have to control your ball flight and your distance control really well. So I think it's very rewarding if you're a good ball-striker.

Q. Who is the most surprising person that's been in touch with you since the win on Sunday, have you had any messages from?

CELINE BOUTIER: Top of my head, I'm not sure, honestly. To be honest, I didn't really like look through all of them, I just feel like --

Q. How many notifications have you gotten on your phone?

CELINE BOUTIER: Oh, I don't know, but I'm trying to get them slowly over time.

But, no, it's been incredible, the amount of support. And especially, you know, from the French golf community. And, yeah, very grateful to have had such an impact in golf.

Q. What was trickier, yesterday's conditions here or Friday at Evian?

CELINE BOUTIER: It's difficult, but honestly, yesterday is the first time in a long time I have played in that much wind. So it was pretty, pretty strong. So I would feel it's tough, honestly. It's tough in different ways. Yeah.

Q. Your sister is again here this week, isn't she? I heard last week that was only the second time ever, or just the Evian?

CELINE BOUTIER: I think, no, maybe third time ever. Yeah. She came before. This is the fourth time, yes. And fifth time next week.

Q. And if you keep winning, she's staying.

CELINE BOUTIER: I guess so, yeah.

Q. What does she do normally?

CELINE BOUTIER: She's just starting a job in cybersecurity security.