Hello Marie, I have to start the interview on the containment. How did it go for you?

I live in the countryside, near Annemasse, in Haute-Savoie. There is a field next to my house, where I could make approaches, up to 100 meters. We had little competitions with my boyfriend (pro Adrien Saddier). I also ran around my home, we challenged each other from a distance with Anaelle Carnet and Lucie André. Otherwise, professionally, I teleworked because in winter I am also a versatile assistant. This confinement made me think. Until now, I have been working part time while playing on the pro tour. Perhaps I will now work full time and play only 3 or 4 tournaments on LETAS at the end of the season, when I had planned to play almost double at the base.

Are you worried about the future of LETAS given the current situation?

A little yes. Already this season, there were fewer tournaments planned than last year. We lost tournaments like Jabra or Neuchâtel. I am afraid that the health and economic crisis will have rather heavy consequences on LETAS. It is already complicated at the base to find sponsors for girls ...

Do you know when you are going to be able to resume competition?

We are supposed to have news in mid-June. Apparently, we could perhaps start in Sweden and chain a series of 12 consecutive tournaments between the end of July and October.

How did you first discover golf?

It was thanks to my uncle, Jeff Lucquin, who had moved to golf of Valdaine, in the Drôme. With my family, we followed him and I joined golf school when I was 6-7 years old.

When did you have in mind to go professional?

In fact, I really got hooked on golf from the age of 15, because before I preferred to play tennis. I started doing team competitions. Once the BAC in my pocket, I decided to make it my job but my parents preferred that I continue my studies. So, I took a BTS in accounting for two years, then a BTS in physics, nuclear option for two more years. I joined Areva, I could only practice golf at weekends. I won my first Grand Prix at age 21. And at 23, I passed the circuit cards successfully, to my surprise.

Didn't you expect it?

Let's say that I don't naturally trust myself. I went there without really believing it which, suddenly, probably took a lot of pressure off me. Sébastien Clément, the former caddy of Gwladys Nocera, carried my bag during these six days and was also a great help to me.

What has your uncle, Jean-François Lucquin, brought you since the start of your career?

Since we hesitated for a long time to mix work and family, he has been genuinely advising me for two years. With him, I started all over again technically. He obviously brings me his experience as a former high level player. When we do "recos", I also see the difference, when it is present. He taught me to play fairer, to make fewer silly mistakes, to prepare well for my tournaments. He also knows how to find the right words before I arrive at the start of the 1.

What is your strong point?

I would say the precision of my iron game. At the end of last season, I played well and touched each time between 14 and 18 greens in regulation.

Is there a particular sector that you work in?

Chipping, since it seems that girls have less touch than boys (Laughter). We make little games based on chipping with Adrien, and I don't often win…

What do you think is your weak point?

Putting. At one point, I even did yips, I went under the holes, my putts weren't straightforward. At the start of last season, my uncle Jeff told me, “ you putt really badly, you are going to try the gripper grip. " And since then, I really see the difference, especially on small pressurized putts.

What is the best memory of your Marie career?

My second place, at the end of last season, at the Rügenwalder Mühle Open in Germany (behind Scottish Laura Murray). There were a lot of people that day. And as, in the last part, I was the only one of the three players not to have a caddy, the public particularly supported me. When I entered a chip at 14, people screamed with joy, I had chills.

What about your worst memory as a golfer?

My two failed cuts two years in a row at Jabra, in Evian, each time for a blow. Both times I had a 4-5 yard putt that I couldn't get in. It's obviously a tournament that is close to my heart and these are probably the times when I had the most difficulty getting up.

Who is your favorite player?

I love Suzann Pettersen. She gives off something, there is an aggressiveness in her gaze in a good sense, she has the scam… There is also the Thai Ariya Jutanugarn. I saw his movie on Netflix (A woman on the green). She did not have an easy youth and she made it a strength. She also has the gna, but she exudes serenity, sobriety. She respects people, she knows where she comes from ...

And among the players?

Henrik Stenson. For the same reasons as Suzann Pettersen. He gives off something, he has class, a bit like Roger Federer in tennis. If I meet him one day, I could very well react like a kid (laughs) !

What is your favorite course in France?

The National Golf. It is very stressful, it keeps you from breathing for 18 holes, but it is a very nice course. And it is that of the French Open and the Ryder Cup.

And abroad ?

Escorpion golf course in Valencia, Spain. I love the design of the course, which is super well maintained and crisscrosses between the tall pines. The greens are magnificent. And the course is defending itself very well.

What do you think is the most common fault with amateur players?

They try to take technique to the course, and the two don't mix well. When they hit the ball badly, they are desperate for a technical key when sometimes they should just be golfing and having fun.

Do you have an interest or a passion outside of golf?

I like to play tennis, I was even ranked 15 at one time. My mother was -15 and is a tennis teacher at TC de Cruas, in Ardèche. I sometimes play it with Adrien, because he mustn't beat me every game ... (Laughter).

Interview by Franck Crudo