Céline Boutier crowned in Malaysia, by winning the MayBank Championship this Sunday with a score of -21, at the end of an anthology play-off of nine holes against the Thai Atthaya Thitikul. This sixth victory on the LPGA circuit propels the French number 1 to still unexplored heights, placing her in a good position to reach the top of the women's golf world rankings. With her victory, Céline Boutier takes the lead in the Rolex Player of the Year rankings, overtaking three-time 2023 champion Lilia Vu.

Céline Boutier crowned in Malaysia after a suspenseful play-off

Céline Boutier triumphant at the Maybank Championship in Malaysia

Worthy of an Alfred Hitchcock thriller, after an interminable play-off at the end of nine holes of suspense, Céline Boutier was impressively masterful during her first 18 holes and it was her unfailing champion mentality that made the difference against the young Atthaya Thitikul in this play-off, tying the record for the second longest playoff in LPGA Tour history.

The Francilienne started the last round in eighth position, five strokes behind the leader, Rose Zhang. As in the second round, Céline Boutier played on fire, posting an exceptional final card of 64 (-8) (eight birdies, without the shadow of a bogey), to join the three other co-leaders of the tournament, Peiyun, Suwannapura, and Zhang, on the 12th hole. It was on the next hole that the French n°1 took sole control by sinking an incredible putt of more than ten meters.

Even if Boutier briefly had a two-shot lead, the Thai players, Jasmine Suwannapura et Atthaya Thitikul, never let the Frenchwoman escape. The tension was at its height when the Parisian narrowly missed a birdie on the 18th hole, while her opponents still had shots to play.

Finally, after long minutes of suspense, the Thai Atthaya Thitikul seized her chance by attacking the 18th green in two shots, something she had not managed to do during the week. His audacity was rewarded by a birdie which allowed him to force the 12th play-offs of the season.

However, Boutier showed unfailing determination and great control during this play-off. After nine additional holes, she finally emerged victorious, thus winning her fourth title of the year 2023. This victory adds to her previous triumphs, notably at the LPGA Drive on Championship in March, at the Amundi Evian Championship in July ( his first Major), and at the Scottish Open the following week.

 "I definitely wanted to win this award at some point in my career. I really didn’t expect that to be the case this season,” Boutier said. “I just feel like it's so difficult to be able to win already and just to have the chance to win this award at the end of the season is something I definitely don't take for granted. There is an incredible amount of talent on the Tour, and I am very happy to be able to win this award this year. » expressed Céline Boutier.


Rookie Rose Zhang and Thailand's Jamine Suwannapura finished tied for third this Sunday with cards of 71 and 70 respectively. This is Zhang's fifth top 10 on the LPGA Tour after only 12 events as a professional . Peiyun Dog, of Chinese Taipei, finished solo fifth after shooting all four rounds under 70, one of four players to do so. The other three are Nelly korda, Brooke Henderson et Gemma Dryburgh, who finished T6. The top 10 is completed by Megan khang in ninth solo and Gaby lopez in tenth solo. Perrine Delacour the other Frenchwoman entered in this event, finished in 40th place at -6 total.

Céline Boutier's victory at the MayBank Championship brings her closer to the top of the women's golf world rankings, a position she could conquer if circumstances are favorable to her. This unforgettable performance consolidates the Frenchwoman's reputation as one of the rising stars of world women's golf.

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Maybank Championship: Céline Boutier 3rd, jumps 37 places!