Magnificent victory for Céline Boutier at the ShopRite LPGA Classic, after a last huge lap (-8), the Frenchwoman won her second title on the LPGA circuit, just two weeks after her victory in the Solheim Cup and the Lacoste Ladies French Open in Médoc at the beginning of September (LET).

Céline Boutier triumphs at the ShopRite LPGA Classic!

Céline Boutier triumphs at the ShopRite LPGA Classic - Photo LPGA

Céline Boutier which we knew in great shape after having triumphed in the Solheim Cup and the Lacoste Ladies Open de France in September, was in top 10 at the start of the last lap five lengths behind the leaders.

The Ile-de-France who seemed far from the leading players managed the feat of returning by posting a sumptuous card of 63 (-8), to win her second title on the LPGA circuit and her first on American soil at the ShopRite LPGA Classic in Galloway, NJ.

 

27-year-old Céline Boutier equaled her best career result with a score of 63 (-8) at the Seaview Golf Club's Bay Course to beat two stars of the Rolex Rankins, the No. 2, to the post. Jin young ko and n ° 3 Inbee Park.

" It's incredible ", she told Golf Channel's Kay Cockerill afterwards. “I think I still don't realize what I achieved. "

The former amateur world number 1 who played for Duke University, claimed his first LPGA victory at the ISPS Handa Vic Open 2019.

Sunday, the Parisian was formidable in putting, making six birdies on the first nine holes to join the trophy hunt.

Park, completing his first nine holes in 33, chasing a 22nd LPGA title, missed his birdie putt by 3 yards to force the playoffs, settling for a 69 to tie for second.

Ko, who shot 66-65 in the first two rounds to share the day's lead with Park, was looking to become the fifth Korean player in LPGA history to achieve 10 wins, joining Se Ri Pak, Ji -Yai Shin, Sei Young Kim and of course, Parc. But none of the South Korean stars managed to materialize in this final round.

Céline Boutier's charge allowed her to return to a tie at -13 with the leaders of the day as well as the Canadian Brooke Henderson (64), who played in the same group as the Frenchwoman.

It is therefore Céline Boutier, member of the winning team of the Solheim Cup, who wins brilliantly thanks to a last birdie at the 18th, she then had to wait for the end of the game of her South Korean runners-up, Jin Young. Ko and Inbee Park, behind just one stroke to savor their victory.

“I expected to make the playoffs. It was already in my mind to have to prepare for it ”, said Boutier. “The fact that neither Jin Young nor Inbee birdied on the 18th really surprised me. I'm still a little surprised. "

His biggest challenge of the day? Find a television to watch the last holes played out. She went to wash her hands and found a TV in the locker room.

"I just cooled off and watched TV there because I couldn't find any elsewhere", she said.

Park and Ko failed to birdie around 3 yards to force the playoffs and the trophy went to Céline Boutier, who played -14 out of 54 holes 199 total. In doing so, she equaled Patricia Meunier-Lebouc and Anne-Marie Palli for the most victories of a Frenchwoman in LPGA history.

"I have the impression that my first victory in Australia goes back so long", she said “It was definitely about time. "

Delacour and Herbin finish above par. Perrine Delacour had a more difficult last lap than her compatriot, conceding a 74 (+3), dropping her by nearly 40 places (44th). Céline Herbin finishes at the back of the pack (71st).

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