AIG Women’s Open: ‘Celine Boutier is the Competitor to Watch at Walton Heath’

Following her surprising victory at the Women’s Scottish Open, Celine Boutier admitted being “taken aback.”

The standout athlete entering this year’s final major, the AIG Women’s Open at Walton Heath, is unmistakably Celine Boutier. No one should be more self-assured than the European Solheim Cup sensation, especially after her breakthrough major win followed by her triumph at the Women’s Scottish Open at Dundonald the previous week.

Despite a subpar 70 on the final Sunday, the French golfer held her composure and secured victory by a margin of two strokes. She is 29 under par over her last two events and has the honor of being the first to register three wins on the LPGA Tour this year.

Boutier, aged 29, humorously hinted at retirement if she continued her winning streak and secured her third consecutive victory this week. Yet, considering her extraordinary gameplay over the last two weeks – a period all players have aimed to excel in – it is difficult to overlook her.

She admitted that the last two courses had been particularly challenging, forcing her to concentrate hard and dig deep, after surpassing $2m (£1.6m) in her seasonal earnings. Boutier, a perfectionist, will need to manage the heightened expectations resulting from her recent success, which could be her greatest hurdle at Walton Heath.

Rather than dwelling on the implications of her success, Boutier plans to keep her focus on the game. Her skills are in top shape, but the course will be new to her. Nevertheless, she is eager to experience it firsthand.

Boutier will be met with a classic heathland course in Surrey’s heartland, providing a suitable challenge for the world’s leading female players. The historical 6,800-yard course combines 16 holes from Walton Heath’s Old Course and 12 and 13 from the New Course. July’s unseasonal rainstorms have softened the usually hard and fast fairways.

Several other players could pose a challenge, including Scotland’s Gemma Dryburgh, who has previously played at Walton Heath. Charley Hull of England may find the course aligns with her playing style, despite her preference for defined inland setups. She recently came second at the US Open last month held at Pebble Beach.

Hull, newly diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, believes her newfound understanding of her condition has helped improve her game. However, she will need to outperform her competitors, including threats from across the globe, to secure her first major title this week.

Not far behind Boutier in terms of recent form is the 27-year-old Korean, A Lim-Kim. British fans are also eager to witness Rose Zhang’s professional debut, while last year’s US Open champion Minjee Lee, Canadian Brooke Henderson, and world number one Nelly Korda are other significant contenders.

Walton Heath’s traditional English golfing test will surely highlight a deserving winner, and Boutier tops an impressive list of contenders.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Celine Boutier

More about Celine Boutier

• Celine Boutier’s Profile on LPGA
• AIG Women’s Open Official Site
• Walton Heath Golf Club
• Gemma Dryburgh’s Profile on LPGA
• Charley Hull’s Profile on LPGA
• A Lim-Kim’s Profile on LPGA
• Rose Zhang’s Profile on LPGA
• Minjee Lee’s Profile on LPGA
• Brooke Henderson’s Profile on LPGA
• Nelly Korda’s Profile on LPGA