BLACK DESERT CHAMPIONSHIP

May 1, 2025

Celine Boutier

Black Desert Resort

Quick Quotes

Q. All right, here with Celine Boutier after her first round at the Black Desert Championship. Bogey-free. Just talk about what went well for you.

CELINE BOUTIER: Yeah, I think my long game has been pretty solid today. I hit a lot of fairways, which is super important on this course.

From there I feel like I was able to hit it pretty close. I made some good putts and then missed a few opportunities, so it was kind of up and down a little bit.

Overall I think I just gave myself a lot of birdie chances throughout the round.

Q. Can you just talk about the strategy out here? We've heard a lot of players aren't using driver. What is your thought process in looking at some of these holes?

CELINE BOUTIER: Yeah, I think there is definitely a premium on being on the fairway on this course. It's not necessarily super long, but you definitely have two options on a lot of holes where you can be pretty aggressive with the driver or just layup shorter with hybrid or fairway wood, and then still have a chance for a green and birdie chances.

So I think you definitely have a risk-reward situation, but I prioritized hitting fairways more so I definitely also haven't hit a lot of drivers.

Q. If you look back at your win tally, got the win at Superstition Mountain. I know it's not the same style of golf course, but has some similarities. Do you take any good energy from maybe that win or just knowing you won on a course like this before?

CELINE BOUTIER: I would say not maybe specifically for this golf course, but I definitely feel like it's a lot of advantages in being straight and being consistent. So I think especially if the wind is picking up a little bit it can be pretty narrow, so I think it's a good course and definitely have a lot of chances if you're hitting it straight.

Q. How did you get yourself out of last week and really get ready for this week knowing the golf courses are entirely different and playing a different strategy and kind of golf?

CELINE BOUTIER: Yeah, I didn't really know what to expect coming into this week to be honest because I never been here and never had this tournament, so it was hard to expect anything. I knew the grass was going to be different and the style being in the desert.

Beyond that, I didn't know what to expect. I was just trying to get my game turned around. I feel like my game hasn't been too bad but haven't been scoring very well, so just trying to get myself in better positions and hopefully put some good scores together.

Q. Speak to Black Desert Resort and just how beautiful it is here.

CELINE BOUTIER: Yeah, it's been unbelievable. I feel like the views are incredible. Just the first practice round just taking -- I was just literally taking pictures the whole round and my caddie was like, I don't know what's going on with you.

Yeah, it was pretty crazy. My mom and I were like paparazzi, just taking everything in. It's in amazing condition so very happy to be here.

Q. Kind of thinking you got to go low today in the morning because the wind usually kicks up in the afternoon.

CELINE BOUTIER: Yeah, I think I was actually expecting it to be a little bit more windy starting today. When we got in on Sunday it was quite windy so I kind of knew what it could get to. I feel very lucky and happy that it wasn't too bad this morning.

Yeah, you were able to get a lot of birdie chances in our group so it was also kind of fun to get in the groove. Definitely tomorrow we will see how the conditions will be.

Q. What about playing at altitude? Did that change -- obviously changes your distance.

CELINE BOUTIER: Yeah, I love it. Any distance I can gain, I'll take it.