Céline Boutier who finishes T5 signs the course record this Sunday at the LPGA Mediheal. Very solid on the last lap, the French posted an ultimate and fantastic 64 (-8). As for Matilda Castren, she became the first Finn to win in the history of the LPGA Tour.

LPGA Mediheal: Céline Boutier sets the record, 1st title for Matilda Castren

Céline Boutier / Matilda Castren - © LPGA

Matilda Castren became the first Finn to win in LPGA Tour history on Sunday at the LPGA MEDIHEAL Championship, breaking out on the first leg of the course at Lake Merced, in the fog, and beating Min Lee of two strokes.

"It's a huge honor to be a champion as a rookie, and especially the first from Finland", said Castren. "It is a very great honor".

Two strokes behind Lee as he entered the final day of the two-week circuit on the San Francisco Peninsula, Castren birdie on the first three holes, eagle on the fifth par-5 and birdie on the ninth par-5 for a score of 30 of the 9 to go. She went on to eight straight runs and birdie putt 3 feet on the par-5 of 18 for a score of 65 (-7).

When her group scorer mentioned that she had just set the points record for the 18-hole LPGA MEDIHEAL Championship tournament, Céline Boutier joked: "I never want to play on this course again." It was exhilaration in its finest form; a feeling of conquering the Lake Merced Golf Club, or the feeling of being as close as possible to it. 2019 ISPS champion Handa Vic Open played a 64 bogeyless, 8 under par, with six birdies and an eagle on the par-5 of 5.

“I hit the driver and then the hybrid. I don't remember exactly how far away I was from the flag, but it kicked me 20-25 feet and I hit it ”, said Boutier, who touched 15 greens in regulation on Sunday. “I feel like the first two holes started slowly, but they are also tough holes. At the same time, I was also happy to get away with a few runs to start the tour. The eagle definitely gave me a little boost. "

Boutier will not be competing in the Meijer LPGA Classic to prepare for the major third of the 2021 LPGA Tour season, the KPMG Women's PGA Championship, which takes place at the Atlanta Athletic Club from June 24-27.

"I think I'm going to rest for a few days because the last three weeks have been quite tiring, to be honest", said Boutier. “The courses were not flat, just a little more difficult physically. I will definitely be resting for a few days, but then I will try to prepare my game for Atlanta. I have to work on my wood 3, I was not very confident with it. I also have to work on my pitching wedge, just for distance and yardage control. ”

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LPGA MEDIHEAL: Leona Maguire takes the lead at Lake Merced