THE AMUNDI EVIAN CHAMPIONSHIP

July 8, 2026

Celine Boutier

Evian Resort Golf Club

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Very pleased to be joined by Celine Boutier here to the Amundi Evian Championship. Celine, obviously get to play in your home country this week. How awesome is it to do that year after year at this major?

CELINE BOUTIER: Yeah, it's been so fun to come back. I think just playing in France in general is super special, and then coming here with the good memories and just having the local support is pretty fun.

Q. Yeah. A few different changes to the golf course, even since last year. What have you made of the changes, especially those two bunkers on No. 18 now?

CELINE BOUTIER: Yeah, I think they're good changes. I like the changes they made on number one and number five for sure, just having a little bit of bigger green area.

And then the green -- the bunkers on 18 are definitely making things a little bit more interesting and tricky. I feel like it was definitely within reach on the driver, and then just making the layup a little bit more tricky as well.

So I think it will be more fun and interesting for everybody to be able to watch 18.

Q. How does your game feel coming into this week? Already a win under your best in 2026. How does the game feel?

CELINE BOUTIER: Yeah, feels good. I feel like it's getting there slowly. Feel like I've been playing some solid golf the last few weeks. Definitely feel like I can keep getting better, and so hopefully getting to a good start and put myself in good position.

Q. So I was wondering, I mean, you're kind of a veteran in a way. You've been doing this for a while, no, playing golf and coming to the majors and doing these events? Is that a good feeling, the feeling of being experienced more than the others?

CELINE BOUTIER: Yeah, I think so. I think it's good to be able to come back to a course and tournament that you played a few times because you kind of know what to expect. And then when you're playing the practice rounds you kind of know which areas to focus on or to practice and then you kind of have an idea of the pin positions as well. I think that always helps.

It makes you feel a little bit more confident because you kind of know where you're going and doing a little bit more.

Q. What would you say are the main things you learned over the years about playing majors and what things have you changed from when you started to now?

CELINE BOUTIER: I think in majors you have to learn to be a little bit more conservative. I think sometimes there is like some holes that you know you're just trying to get -- like a par is gaining strokes compared to the field.

I feel like sometimes you kind of have to respect that and be a little bit mindful of the holes that you can go for and other holes that you have to be a little bit more conservative.

Since the rough is also generally thicker and less forgiving, sometimes you also have to adjust your strategy and you can't just hit driver and bomb it everywhere. You have to be mindful of that and make sure you prioritize being on the fairway rather than just always getting -- trying to get the longer shot.

Q. And one last thing. You have had several caddies over your career. Now you have a caddie who speaks French.

CELINE BOUTIER: Yeah.

Q. Is it better? Does it help your game having somebody that speaks your language?

CELINE BOUTIER: I mean, I think it's definitely nice for me and for my family to be able to interact with him. He's definitely very helpful in strategy.

But I don't think that the language makes it a little bit more useful. I think he's just a good caddie in general. If he was speaking English I'm sure I would find it helpful as well.

Q. I know this was such a big win for you a few years ago. How have things changed since you won here in '23?

CELINE BOUTIER: I don't think my life has changed much. It's definitely very nice to be able to come back and have those memories and have a little bit more, you know, French support and recognition from French fans.

So I think that would be probably the main difference. But besides that, I mean yeah it's not like I think about it every day. It's obviously nice to have and it's been really fun obviously to be able to come back here every year and just seeing my face here and there and just having some good memories.

Q. I know this has got to feel like a brief reprieve coming back over to Europe and getting to hang around. Home for a month. What do you do for the month the LPGA Tour in is Europe outside of the golf course?

CELINE BOUTIER: I mean, my family usually comes for the European stretch, so I'll hang out with them and spend some time. I wouldn't say I go too crazy on outside activities and stuff because I feel like the course here is also so demanding physically that I'm just trying to recover most of the time.

I think it's just nice to be able to have my family around and just being able to relax outside of golf as well. I think here specifically we know with the lake and the downtown and it's very walkable. I think there is quite a few things you can do and enjoy that takes you off the course or your mind of the course.

So I think that's kind of important to have also.

Q. What's your relationship with this golf course and how has to changed or shifted over the years?

CELINE BOUTIER: Yeah, it was very exciting the first couple times that I came just because the views and the course is like pretty cool. Just has so much like a lot of history growing up watching it. The first couple years were kind of like really fun.

The few years after that were kind of struggle so I feel like it was a little bit less good memories there. Just feel like it took me a while to get used to this course. It's kind of hard. It's kind of demanding. Just playing in front of a home crowd is something that have to get used to, especially in a major week. It took me a few years to learn and figure things out for myself on how to handle things.

And then obviously since my win it's just been definitely more positive memories and positive thoughts. I think just having good shots to also remember and think about when you're out there on the golf course is also good for confidence and stuff.

So I think it's been a little bit better since then.

THE MODERATOR: Thank you so much.