Celine Boutier makes French history with dominant, first major win at LPGA Evian Championship

Celine Boutier becomes the first French woman to win the LPGA Amundi Evian event, securing her first major with a six shot lead in impressive, dominant fashion.

As soon as Celine Boutier secured the lead at the LPGA Amundi Evian Championship, she never looked back, maintaining her supremacy throughout the tournament. It’s no wonder, she had the entire country rooting for her victory. No one else even came close as the 29-year-old Clamart, France native kept her competitors at bay.

Trying to defend her title, Canada’s Brooke Henderson made a go of it in the third round with a 67 that included seven incredible birdies, with just a bogey and double bogey impeding her momentum. However, the two-time major winner was unable to follow up that awesome display on Sunday. The 25-year-old got in three birdies, but it just wasn’t enough as Boutier added another birdie on the back nine while Henderson’s two bogeys on holes 12 and 17 created too much of a chasm to overcome.

Boutier finished with a 68 on the final day, unswervingly remaining below 70 for the entire event. Pressure was on the French golfer to keep her lead and she never wavered. She began the tournament with an awe-inspiring 66 on the first day, 69 in the second round, with a 67 on ‘moving day,’ topping it off with a 68 on the day it counted the most. A calm consistency was the key to the four-time LPGA winner’s authority.

“It honestly has been my biggest dream ever since I started watching golf,” Boutier said afterwards, according to SB Nation. “This tournament has always been very special to me, just even watching as a teenager. To be able to hold this trophy is pretty unbelievable.”

The win at the Evian Resort Golf Club caps off a great season for the 15th-ranked Boutier, giving her a fourth LPGA trophy, including her second LPGA title this year, secured at the Drive On Championship in March. Additionally, she’s achieved four Top-10 finishes. She has also put herself in contention for a Team Europe pick at the Solheim Cup, which will take place in September.

“Nothing else matters now that I have this trophy, so I’m really good for the rest of the year,” Boutier said.

The next LPGA tournament is the Trust Golf Women’s Scottish Open Beginning Aug. 3.