"Bit More Aggressive": Celine Boutier Explains Why Playing Catch-Up Brings Out Her Best Golf
Dec 13, 2024; Naples, Florida, USA; Celine Boutier walks off of the first green during the first round of the Grant Thornton Invitational during the Grant Thornton Invitational at Tiburon Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
Dec 13, 2024; Naples, Florida, USA; Celine Boutier walks off of the first green during the first round of the Grant Thornton Invitational during the Grant Thornton Invitational at Tiburon Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
France’s Celine Boutier lifted the ShopRite LPGA title on Sunday in amazing fashion. She overcame a deficit in the closing round and later explained why she prefers being the chaser at tournaments.
At the end of the second round, Boutier held a four-shot deficit. As things unfolded, the 32-year-old bounced back in the final round to claim her second ShopRite LPGA win. During her post-event press conference, Boutier mentioned that coming up from an underdog situation feels special to her.
She said, “I think I do like being a couple shots back and kind of having a little bit of a chasing situation. I think leading is nice, too, obviously. But if I happen to be in this situation, I'm very grateful for it."
May 29, 2025; Erin, Wisconsin, USA; Celine Boutier during the first round of the U.S. Women's Open golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
May 29, 2025; Erin, Wisconsin, USA; Celine Boutier during the first round of the U.S. Women's Open golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
"Also, it's a different mindset, I think, and sometimes you can play a little bit more conservative just trying to keep your lead or whatever,” Boutier added.
Boutier scored a 5-under 66 in the final round to complete the turnaround. Around the turn, she landed three birdies to take the lead and never gave it away.
At the Stockton Seaview Hotel and Golf Club in New Jersey, the French pro secured her seventh career LPGA title with a score of 9-under 204, to win by one stroke ahead of Thailand’s Arpichaya Yubol.
“I feel like when you're chasing, you maybe are a little bit more aggressive and you play a little bit more like, -- yeah, just aggressive, I think. So I think that's something that I enjoy. But, yeah, I don't mind either,” said Boutier.
Boutier’s mindset was the difference maker as she came out on top. The chase was successful, and the rest of the lineup failed to catch up with her.
With the win, Boutier ended an almost three-year winless streak on the LPGA Tour. Her first ShopRite LPGA title came in 2021, and now she holds two.
On the other hand, Yubol came very close to victory, and her one-stroke penalty proved costly in the end.
Arpichaya Yubol's Penalty Proved Costly
Yubol also scored a 5-under 66 at the Bay Course at Seaview Hotel and Golf Club in the final round. She finished at 8-under, a stroke behind winner Boutier.
"So for me, just keep believing in myself, in the process, and then just keep practicing, keep playing, and enjoy what I am now," Yubol said. "The one thing, maybe two things for me—I have to trust myself and have to enjoy my game."
The 24-year-old was handed a one-stroke penalty for 'exceeding her maximum time allowed for her total strokes timed' on the 13th hole of the second round.
Therefore, her par on the 13th hole turned into a bogey, and eventually she posted a second round score of three over par 74.
In the end, the penalty made all the difference as it stopped her from sharing the lead with Boutier, who won her second ShopRite LPGA title.
Do you agree with Boutier’s arguments regarding the chase situation? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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Written by
Avishek Sarkar
Edited by
Souvik Roy