MAYBANK CHAMPIONSHIP

October 27, 2026

Celine Boutier

Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club

Press Conference

ANNIKA MAYERS: Joining us ahead of the 2026 Maybank Championship is our 2023 champion, Celine Boutier. Celine, obviously this is probably an important event for you. You were the inaugural winner. What does it mean to be back in Malaysia and competing this week?

CELINE BOUTIER: Yeah, it's so fun to come back. I have great memories from the last couple years. So just this is my last tournament of the Asian Swing, so it's just very nice to be able to be here, and, yeah, look forward a lot to this week.

ANNIKA MAYERS: You won earlier this season. How much confidence do you think you have knowing you're still out here competing at the best of your game?

CELINE BOUTIER: Yeah, I mean, I had a pretty -- yeah, I was able to get a win this year. I feel like my game has been a bit inconsistent throughout the season, so it was fun to get some good results and see some (indiscernible.)

Hopefully trying to do my best to have a good ending to the season and hopefully the last few tournaments.

ANNIKA MAYERS: We see a lot of low scores at this tournament. What about the golf course do you think is really important to capitalize on to go low?

CELINE BOUTIER: I mean, I think just long game, maybe approach shots. I feel like this is a course that doesn't necessarily mean you can just drive everywhere. It's strategic and I think it's all about placement. There is a lot of bunkers, so you have to place the ball well. And then from there, just give yourself as many opportunities as you can.

So I think it's a lot about good shots and (indiscernible).

ANNIKA MAYERS: Questions.

Q. Coming into this week, which part of your game do you think is the strongest now?

CELINE BOUTIER: I mean, I think it kind of changes throughout the season, but I feel like right now my putting is actually pretty good, has been pretty good. So, yeah, hopefully I can keep up on that end.

So I would say my putting and (indiscernible) short game.

Q. Off the golf course, what do you enjoy about golf in Malaysia?

CELINE BOUTIER: I mean, I think just exploring just the city and exploring the different kind of cuisines.

I feel like this year we are next to a mall, so it's easy to walk around and just try different stuff. I think it's kind of a similar culture to Thailand as well, which is where my parents are from, so it's a little bit familiar as well.

Yeah, it's just nice to be able to come back here.

Q. Hi, Celine. If I'm not mistaken, you have an economics background.

CELINE BOUTIER: I have a minor(indiscernible.)

Q. Anyway, because I wanted to get your thoughts on like how you kind of channel frustration. Do you take it on through statistics, figures-wise, or do you have a secret coping mechanism?

CELINE BOUTIER: I don't really. I definitely feel like I need to have some time to process things. I don't really have a coping mechanism per se, but I definitely feel like there is not really anything to really like say or do that (indiscernible). I just have to kind of get over it myself.

I think just takes time. Yeah, I don't think (indiscernible) situation. (Laughter.)

Q. Yes, Celine, just a general question about the LPGA Tour. I think the Tour is in a very good place right now with a lot of tournaments; visiting many countries; really becoming a worldwide tour. Your thoughts on this and the growing number of players from countries that we never saw before playing on Tour on the LPGA.

CELINE BOUTIER: Yeah, it's been super exciting just to see the new events, new countries, new courses that we get to play every year. I feel like every time there is a schedule release I'm just really excited about the next, the following year, and just seeing where the Tour has come, where the venues have been, and the purse increases and everything.

It's been super exciting for us as players, and just as a competitor it's also really fun to see more and more players becoming better. I think it is especially difficult mentally because I feel like you have to just keep always getting better, which is a little bit frustrating, but at the same time I also want to be.

So, yeah, it's very competitive tour and I think just first thing is being able to go to different countries and new countries is also a way to grow the game there and to have people from different backgrounds and countries coming to the LPGA.

So I think ultimately that's also a part of the Tour. But it's just good for everyone to have more talent on the Tour.

Q. You mentioned that this is going to be your last event. So what do you normally do on your down time?

CELINE BOUTIER: Oh, I mean, this is my last event of the Asia Swing. So I'm just not playing next week, but after that we have still two tournaments in Florida.

So, yeah, I kind of have only three events left which is kind of crazy to think. I feel like it's been kind of a long season and it's kind of weird when it comes to an end.

Yeah, I'm looking forward to some down time. I think I haven't made plans yet. I do like to sometimes travel and see different stuff. This year I feel like I traveled so much I kind of want to stay in one place.

I think this offseason is a little bit longer because the tournament schedule is not starting until February or end of February. It will be nice to take some time off the golf course and see different stuff and have a normal life and then get back to it.

Q. Your grandparents were from Thailand. Do you go back to Thailand a lot to see relatives?

CELINE BOUTIER: Yeah, I used to go when I was young I remember but I don't really go back anymore. Maybe for the Honda LPGA which is in February, March and then after for a week. But other than that, I haven't really had a chance to come back that much. It's just kind of very like far from the U.S. and the other tournaments we have.

But I always like to go back there.