Candice Mahé - photo Alexis Orloff

Hello Candice. You entered the University of Georgia last January. How are your days there and what are you studying?

Every other day, I start at 5:30 a.m., with a weight training session until 7 a.m. Then we have golf in the morning and lessons in the afternoon or vice versa. Currently I am studying finance and marketing but maybe I will change as I am interested in political science and international relations, especially since I speak French, English and Spanish.

Is the American university now a prerequisite for a young high-level French golfer?

It is true that it is a sick experience and another dimension in the United States when you want to reconcile studies and high-level sport. In France, it is less obvious and golf is not considered in the same way. When you say that you play golf at university, you inspire respect among Americans, whereas in France, it's a little different (laughs). And then in terms of infrastructure, everything is disproportionate there, everything is designed for athletes. I even got to play on the Augusta course, where I will compete in the National Women's Amateur in 2021, a week before Tiger Woods and the others.

You had the chance to play Augusta!

Yes, the height differences are really impressive, you don't realize it on TV. The depth of the bunkers too ...

How was your acclimatization in the United States?

At the beginning, it was complicated, I had just left the poles in France. Golfing, I had a lot of trouble, I struggled a lot with my game, I lost confidence, I don't know how to explain it. I am still one of the two players at the university to have played all the competitions, even if I did not have the expected results.

So far, what is the best memory of your career if we dare say that since you are still only 20 years old?

I love playing team competitions so obviously I would say the Spirit (In 2019, Candice won gold with France and silver in individual at the Spirit International Amateur Championship in Whispering Pines, TX). With Pauline (Roussin Bouchard), Adrien Pendaries and Julien Sale, everything was perfectly pinned down, especially since we were not necessarily starting favorites against teams like China or Korea. Otherwise, I also loved being on the ropes during the Ryder Cup at Golf National.

It seems you even played a few holes with Jim Furyk before the event…?

Yes, I was a student at the sport-study in Châtenay-Malabry and I received an email from the federation to tell me that I was invited to an event with Jim Furyk and Thomas Bjorn. I initially thought it was a demo I was going to attend, not that I had to play! I'm glad I didn't know it before otherwise I would have stressed (laughs)! In fact, I was part of the team coached by Jim Furyk with Pierre Pineau, Evangéline Prevot and Clément Charmasson.

Did Furyk give you some advice?

Yes, I remember in particular asking him a question about a chip, because before I tended to favor the putter when I was not sure. Now I have less of a problem pulling out the sandwedge in this kind of situation.

And your worst memory?

There have been many (laughs). I especially remember the Portuguese Open at West Cliff in 2017 I think, where the weather was terrible. I had exploded the score, but not in a good way. The winner had finished at +8 that year.

What are your goals for the 2021 season?

Try to make three or four top 10s and replay a bit to win.

And your ultimate dream?

Winning Evian is a bit like the dream of all French golfers.

What are your strengths and weaknesses in golf?

It's weird but I have the impression that my strengths have become my weaknesses and vice versa. Mind has been one of my strengths so far, I have always been very determined on a course and my iron game was very good, but I feel like it has deteriorated this year. Conversely, my chipping was a weak point but I missed a lot of greens this season, I found myself all over the place, on the road, in the bushes ... suddenly, I made so many crisps that I have made good progress at this level (laughs).

When you have a putt under pressure to play, how do you approach it?

I experienced this kind of situation when I won in Spain (the Spanish International Ladies Amateur Championship in 2019). On the 18th on the last day, I have a 2-3 meter left-right downhill putt to get into the play-off and I did. In the play-off, I was up against Alessia Nobilio, who is a friend, and we each have 5 meters for birdie. She enters her putt and I manage to put mine and then win at 22^e hole. When I have no choice, I put myself in my bubble, I try to clear my head, I look twice at the slopes if necessary, I focus on my breathing, I give all I can upstream.

Your best score?

-7 at the Grand Prix de Ploemeur last July (for her first post-confinement tournament, Candice wins with a 12 point lead).

Have you ever completed a hole-in-one?

I did the first one last summer in college! We played a mini Ryder Cup and in team competition, I tend to increase my level of play, I don't have the same state of mind as I do individually. In match play, I was 4 down before hitting a hole in one on 13 and then birdie from 15 to 18 to win my match.

Is there a player you admire?

On the men's side, I'd say Tiger Woods for everything he's created around golf. Golf is Tiger Woods! Among women, I really like what Nelly Korda does. I shared a game with her on the LET, during the Lacoste Ladies Open in 2019. She is very impressive, especially in terms of power.

What do you think is the most common fault among amateurs?

In their swing, there is not a lot of rotation and the pace is often too fast I find.

Besides golf, what is your favorite pastime?

I like studying and seeing friends to shop, I'm very girl for that (Laughter).

Interview by Franck Crudo

https://www.ffgolf.org/Actus/Pro/Recording/Recording-Candice-Mahe