France’s Celine Boutier wins golf’s Evian Championship for first Major title

EVIAN, France – Celine Boutier clinched her first Major title by winning the Evian Championship by an impressive six shots on Sunday.

The 29-year-old Frenchwoman started the last day with a three-shot lead and she finished on 14-under 270 after a near-perfect closing 68. Brooke Henderson, last year’s winner, was second on eight under after a 70.

“It honestly has been my biggest dream ever since I started watching golf,” said Boutier, who pocketed a US$1 million (S$1.3 million) cheque with the win.

“This tournament has always been very special to me, just even watching as a teenager. To be able to hold this trophy is pretty unbelievable.”

Her previous best finish at the Evian was tied-29th on two occasions. She missed the cut in 2022.

She is the third Frenchwoman to win a Major, following in the footsteps of Catherine Lacoste, who won the 1967 US Women’s Open as an amateur, and Patricia Meunier-Lebouc, a winner of the Chevron Championship in California 20 years ago.

Boutier comes from outside Paris and was staying in a house near Evian this week with her family, including twin sister, Christie.

“They hardly ever see me play and it made it extra special having them all here. They helped take my mind off golf and it is sweet to be able to share this moment with them,” she said.

In ideal conditions, Boutier, a former world No. 1 amateur, swiped away the nerves with a brilliant start. She birdied the first from 10 feet and holed a monster putt for a two at the short second.

She sank another long birdie putt at the short fifth and, with all her challengers faltering, the lead had been stretched to six by the sixth and the record crowds were already preparing to salute a new star.

A first bogey of the day at the 13th saw the lead cut to four shots, but a birdie at the long 15th restored order and she could enjoy the walk down the 18th.

Said Boutier: “It definitely was not easy. The conditions were so tough, it could go either way really fast. So I tried to just focus on each hole at a time.

“It was pretty challenging with the wind, I handled the first few holes really well. The putt on No. 2 was a big bonus.

“You can always play better. But I was steady in all four rounds... I’m satisfied with my game this week.”

Canada’s Henderson put up a stout defence but never really threatened to win and Japan’s Nasa Hataoka, second overnight, slipped to joint third on seven under after a 72.

She shared that spot with compatriot Yuka Saso (70), Norway’s Celine Borge (68), Mexico’s Gaby Lopez (68) and South Korea’s Kim A-lim (69).

Boutier is already the most decorated French player on the LPGA Tour with three wins – including the Drive On Championship in March – and the two-time Solheim Cup player has already tasted victory on home soil at the 2021 French Open.

She will play in the final Major of the season at the Women’s British Open at Walton Heath in England in two weeks’ time and she can also look forward to a third Solheim Cup for Europe’s defence in Spain in September.

“Nothing will compare to this moment. But I will certainly enjoy the rest of the season,” she said.
AFP, REUTERS