6 questions to Céline Boutier, n ° 1 Frenchwoman

What is your feeling about coming back to play your national open?

This is something quite special, since the Lacoste Ladies Open de France was the first professional tournament I played in 2011 at the Paris International Golf Club. I was an amateur at the time, and this participation had reinforced my desire to go pro. I played it a second time at Chantaco in 2016, and a third last year at Golf du Médoc. It is always a special tournament for us, French, because it is our national open.

Does the fact that the tournament is sponsored by Lacoste, your supplier, impose additional pressure on you?

It's not really pressure but it obviously reinforces my desire to be successful. Of course I want to play well, but not only for that. It is more related to the fact that it is one of only two tournaments in France in which I participate, with the Evian Championship. Each opportunity I have to evolve in France gives me additional motivation.

What are your ambitions for this 2019 edition?

I always want to do well, no matter what the tournament, but it's not something I can easily control… The Lacoste Ladies Open de France comes at the end of a long and trying season, and I am remember being tired last year because it was my sixth week in a row. But winning my national open is clearly a goal.

Céline Boutier, French n ° 1 - © Lacoste Ladies Open de France

What is your opinion on the course of the Châteaux at the Golf du Médoc Resort?

I played it for the first time in my life last year, and I thought it was a great course. It reminds me of a links: it is quite open, there is not a lot of rough and we can roll the ball. But it defends itself well because it is quite long. I remember having a lot of long sticks to hit the greens, which is a challenge. To have a lot of birdie opportunities, you have to take advantage of the par 5, and therefore be physically fit to hit the ball well.

Is there a hole that marked you in particular?

I would say the 18th. The entry into play is not so easy since it is a little blind, and there is a bunker at the bottom which dissuades a little from taking the driver. It depends on the wind. It is a strategic hole which is very interesting.

Your victory on the LPGA Tour at the start of the year and the performances that followed make you a logical favorite of the Lacoste Ladies Open in France. How do you see it?

Winning on the American circuit is not an easy thing, it is obvious, and my victory in Australia gave me a lot of confidence in my abilities. But every week is different, so I can't afford to think that I'm better than the others. The level of the other players is high, and whatever the tournament everyone has a chance to win. This is why I approach each tournament with ambition, but also with humility.

© Golf du Médoc Resort

Meetings for the public of the Lacoste Ladies Open de France

Throughout the week, entry to the Lacoste Ladies Open in France is free

The reception of the public is particularly neat this year with the development of a parking lot accessible from the Chemin de Boutuge. The organizer will distribute daily the program of the day as well as all useful information to follow the tournament as close as possible to the players, during 18 holes. A superb experience in a magnificent location, whether you are a golf fan, or for a walk with family or friends!

An entertainment area for the public

where spectators will be able to discover Lacoste products in their pop-up ready-to-wear boutique. Aviva will offer to practice putting, educational structures will offer children the opportunity to learn golf and signing sessions will be organized with the players. Two foodtrucks will also be installed to allow the public to eat.

An exceptional competition will also be offered on the event's social networks in early July:

it will offer the opportunity for a young player to participate in Pro-Am Richard Mille, a tournament that brings together professionals and amateurs on Wednesday, September 18, 2019!

Presentation of the Médoc Resort golf course

Opened in 1989 in the town of Pian-Médoc, a few kilometers north-west of Bordeaux, the Médoc Resort golf course quickly established itself as one of the best golfing destinations in France. Provided among other things with a beautiful hotel with 80 rooms, a spa, reception areas, a golf academy and a second course called Les Vignes, this modern resort is above all renowned for its Châteaux course. , a demanding championship course (par 71 of 6 m black) created by the American architect Bill Coore. It is on this ground that the South African Retief Goosen won the Novotel Perrier Open de France in 574, that the grand final of the Challenge Tour was played between 1999 and 2001, and that the last ten editions of the Grand Prix Schweppes PGA.

Recently equipped with a state-of-the-art irrigation system, it will offer the European female elite one of the best tests of the season.

The course of the castles hole by hole

By Dominique Larretche, Director of teaching at the Golf du Médoc Resort.

HOLE N ° 1 - Par 4 of 372 m

A potentially difficult hole if there is wind, since there is water at stake on the left. The green is a bit raised and extremely steep, so you really have to be on the right plateau.

HOLE N ° 2 - Par 5 of 505 m

Girls who hit the ball hard can take a fairly aggressive line over the bunkers on the left, and possibly take the green in half. For the others, you have to play quietly from the right. The green having several trays, it is necessary to take care of the approach.

HOLE N ° 3 - Par 4 of 317 m

We can play a slightly risky drive over the bunkers, or insure with a wood 3 or a rescue. In any case, it is a hole that does not pose any particular risk.

HOLE N ° 4 - Par 4 of 369 m

A long par 4 where you can take risks by passing over the bunkers if the wind is favorable. There is a second difficult blow to hit then, since we hit a fairly closed club.

HOLE N ° 5 - Par 3 of 155 m

Depending on the position of the flag, it is a hole which can be relatively simple or extremely dangerous. The green is narrow and long, and if it widens at the bottom, the water is more at stake. A little misfortune can quickly happen here. Visually, it is magnificent.

HOLE N ° 6 - Par 4 of 332 m

It is a relatively easy par 4 from the start, but the green being very shallow you have to master your second stroke.

HOLE N ° 7 - Par 4 of 324 m

A potentially difficult hole if there is wind, since there is water at stake on the left. The green is a bit raised and extremely steep, so you really have to be on the right plateau.

HOLE N ° 8 - Par 3 of 122 m

The green is flat, but there is water at play in front, on the left and behind, as well as bunkers on the right. It is a dangerous hole if the wind is against, since they will have to hit an iron 6. Without wind, it will be much easier with an iron 8.

HOLE N ° 9 - Par 4 of 330 m

Put in play is essential, because if we find ourselves on the right of the fairway, we have no opening. If we take the middle or the left of the fairway, we won't have too many worries. Do not make a mistake on the second shot because the green is very long, and it goes down hard in front and behind.

HOLE N ° 10 - Par 5 of 437 m

There is water at stake from the start on the right, and bunkers on the left. It is therefore necessary to take care of the throw-in. There is then a big blow, with which the longest players will be able to fetch the green in two.

HOLE N ° 11 - Par 4 of 324 m

Most will play to the right of the stream which splits the fairway in two, but you can aim for the left side with a shorter club and attack the green there. If we succeed in playing on the right, the approach will obviously be shorter. It is a very interesting option hole. The green is very steep, with danger at the bottom.

HOLE N ° 12 - Par 3 of 165 m

It is an easy hole without wind, but complicated if it blows. If you miss the green on the right, the chip is extremely complicated because you cannot stop the ball, so at the limit it is better to miss on the left and end up in the bunker. The wind is often against this very exposed hole.

HOLE N ° 13 - Par 4 of 367 m

A fairly long hole on which you should not miss on the left. You have to be precise about the throw-in to give yourself a good birdie chance on a not very difficult green.

HOLE N ° 14 - Par 5 of 442 m

Another hole with options. First, you have to avoid the left at the drive because there is water at stake. Then, you can go get the green in two from the right, but you need a second very precise shot because the danger awaits. The eagle arrives quickly, but the double bogey too!

HOLE N ° 15 - Par 4 of 346 m

A hole often with wind against where you should not miss on the left. A good drive will leave a second shot to play from the right, which will allow the ball to return to the flag thanks to the relief of the green.

HOLE N ° 16 - Par 3 of 167 m

The fairway is wide and the start is slightly raised, you can send. There is still a fairly long second shot. You must therefore take care of its depth towards a very large green. If you miss the green, the approach can quickly be very complicated since there is a significant break on the green.

HOLE N ° 17 - Par 3 of 167 m

It is absolutely necessary to avoid the right where the bunkers and the brush are. It is better to play on the left quietly.

HOLE N ° 18 - Par 4 of 340 m

The throw-in, preferably to the right of the fairway, is essential to allow a second shot not too long. You must indeed master your approach because the green, huge, has different platforms. With the pressure that there can be at the end of the game, it's a par 4 where anything can happen!

To know more : http://www.opendefrancefeminin.fr/

To read our article concerning the 2018 edition:

Everything you need to know about the Lacoste Ladies Open de France 2018