THE LPGA DRIVE ON CHAMPIONSHIP

January 24, 2024

Celine Boutier

Bradenton Country Club

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: All right, pleased to be joined defending champion Celine Boutier here at the Drive On Championship.

Celine, welcome. Just what's it like being back? I know different course, but what's it like being back here at DriveOn?

CELINE BOUTIER: Yeah, I think it's good. Definitely feels like a different tournament to me because we never played this course before, so just trying to get my way around.

But it's always fun to be able to come back to a tournament you won before, so very excited to be here.

Q. What do you remember most about your win last year?

CELINE BOUTIER: I just remember that it was unfortunately playoff against Georgia, which was a little bit tough because I'm pretty good friends with her. I just remember I played really solid golf. I remember the greens were so firm.

Yeah, I think it was a very good tournament, good memories.

Q. Have you got on the course at all so far? What has it been like? How do you think it suits your strengths and what are some challenges this week?

CELINE BOUTIER: I think it's a great course. It's been really windy the past few days so I think definitely keeping the ball a bit down would be a huge advantage.

Few run-off areas around the greens, so you have to be careful about where you miss, and definitely being on the right side. I think the greens are pretty fast, too, especially downhill, downgrain.

So definitely want to keep the ball below. I think it'll be a great challenge this week.

Q. How did you spend the off-season? Anything you worked on in your golf game or personal you did?

CELINE BOUTIER: What did I do in the off season? Just traveled a bit. Tried to stay away from golf for a little bit, and then went back into practicing. Obviously Dallas weather hasn't been too good so I had to go practice in Scottsdale.

Wasn't the most ideal conditions, but it worked out. Been working a little bit on my swing, long game, and also putting.

Q. How did this win last year really set you up for all the success that you had last season?

CELINE BOUTIER: I think it just give me a little bit of relief and confidence. I feel like it had been two years before that week that I hadn't won, and I came a lot of times in the top 10 and in contention and wasn't able to do it in 2022.

To be able to do it that early in the season in 2023 was good for confidence. And also, being able to win in the playoff is never easy. There are a lot of nerves and you have to handle yourself a lot better. The fact that I was able to pull it off was very definitely good for my confidence.

I think also gave me more confidence in the few tournaments after that I was in contention or even in the playoff in Malaysia. I just feel a little bit more comfortable.

Q. How challenging is it mentally to follow up a four-win season the next year? Is it hard to make sure you tell yourself over and over, hey, that's not going to happen every year out here?

CELINE BOUTIER: Yeah, it's definitely a bit challenging because of the expectations of other people, but also of yourself. I definitely feel like I'm trying to just keep it very much in the present. I feel like the one season to another is whole different game, so I know that it's not going to be the same.

I'm just going to try to put myself in the position as much as I can and try not to have too many expectations.

Q. Obviously making your season debut, what are some goals for this year? Big year with Olympics and Solheim Cup. What are you looking for from yourself this season?

CELINE BOUTIER: I think very looking forward to the Olympics in Paris will be a huge week for me. Going back to Evian will also be a challenge in some ways but also very rewarding to go back.

I think playing just the majors, having the British Open at St Andrews is always very special as well, so looking forward to that.

Q. Looking ahead to this week, the greens out there look unreal when it comes to undulation. What are you seeing from this golf course? What suits your game or things you might need to adjust as you get ready to play tomorrow?

CELINE BOUTIER: I think the wind is normally pretty good for me. I feel like definitely a little bit tricky just being in the right spot because even a lot of times when you're pin high you have so much break. So you definitely have to be smart about ball place placement, just trying to stay below as much as you can.

Q. What is it about Donald Ross courses that makes them -- do you like, I guess I should say, kind of Donald Ross designs?

CELINE BOUTIER: I think it's very famous for the undulations on the greens and having run-off areas. You just have to be that much more precise. Then add at wind and it can definitely be a bit challenging.