Victorious last year of the Order of Merit of the Symetra Tour, the second American division, the French n ° 2 Perrine Delacour had an excellent start to the season on the LPGA and was halted in her fine dynamic by the health crisis. Interview.

Perrine Delacour.

@LPGA

Hello Perrine, how did the confinement go for you?

Perrine Delacour: I'm lucky to live in Florida, where confinement was easier. It was possible to practice physical activity and the golf courses remained open. But there was a case of coronavirus in my golf club and for safety's sake I took a break, I didn't touch a club for a month. I still continued to do a lot of sport and physical "prep".

You had a great start to the season on the Australian LPGA tour, with a 16e then a 3e square*. Are you not afraid that the health crisis has broken your fine dynamic?

I do not think so. Of course, it's a shame because I was on a good run. But anyway, we don't have much choice in these cases, we have to deal with it.

You won the Symetra Tour Order of Merit last year. Can that explain your excellent start to the season?

It's clear, because I gained confidence after my very good 2019 season. Mentally, it helped me a lot.

Apart from the absence of a caddy, what are the most striking differences between the Symetra and the LPGA?

The organization of tournaments is obviously not the same, we are more pampered on the LPGA. And then, on the LPGA, we travel by plane while on the Symetra, it is by car ...

Is it true that you were on the verge of ending your career a year earlier?

Yes, I was really in the rough, I was not very well a little over a year ago when I missed the cards for the LPGA. It was a real challenge for me. But my entourage helped me a lot and pushed me to continue. Even during my difficult start at the Symetra, where I missed the cut - and not by 1 point but by 4 or 5 points - during my first two tournaments, my parents have supported me a lot.

All of a sudden, you're back to your best level, hit the Tops 10 - ten in total in 2019 - and win twice. Did you think it clicked?

Yes. I went to California to see my coach, Chris Mayson, because I was almost in panic with my putting. We had a very good session and we discussed a lot. It did me a lot of good.

You are one of the few French women to have tried your luck in the United States. Don't you sometimes miss France and your family?

It's true that I miss my family and French food too. But I had to go to the United States and play my luck to the max for my career.

When did you start golfing?

I was 8 years old and I hit my first balls at the Ailette golf course in Picardy. In my family, I have two brothers and a sister and I am the youngest. My brother and sister played golf, it was a family sport, although I first started playing tennis.

At the start of your career, you also benefited from the help of the Porosus fund, created in particular by Catherine Lacoste, whom we interviewed ** a few days ago ...

Yes, they helped me again in 2019, after having missed the mark. At the start of my career, there were times of hardship, I had no sponsors. It was like a breath of fresh air for me, I really thank them.

What is your ultimate golfing dream?

Win tournaments on the LPGA and become world No. 1. There is still work to be done, but to reach the highest level, I believe in setting high goals.

The best memory of your career?

The first time I played -10 (62) on the LPGA Tour, during the Manulife in Canada in 2017. And of course my two victories last year on the Symetra Tour (the Four Winds Invitational in Indiana and the Prasco Charity Championship in Ohio, in June 2019).

And your worst memory?

In 2015 or 2016, the time the doctor called me to tell me that because of my wrist injury, I will not be able to participate in the US Open, the British Open and Evian, for which I was qualified. I was injured hitting the rough. I had to have the operation and couldn't play for six months.

Your strong point?

My regularity at driving.

Your weak point?

No doubt my shots of wedging, whether in terms of precision or dosage.

Have you ever done a hole in one?

Yes, at Walmart 2018 in Arkansas, it's on youtube. I hit an 8 or 7 iron and the ball went straight into the hole. With the shade and the sun, we couldn't see the ball very well, but when the spectators screamed, I understood… (Laughter)

Is there a player you admire?

Stacy Lewis, especially for her story. She had a lot of back injuries and, despite everything, she became No. 1 in the world.

Your favorite golf course in France?

Morfontaine, for the environment and the design of the course.

What do you think is the most common fault among amateurs?

The rhythm in their swing. A lot of fans tend to want to hit the ball as hard as possible rather than just putting it in play.

Interview by Franck Crudo

* https://swing-feminin.com/womens-australian-open-la-victoire-pour-inbee-park-le-podium-pour-perrine-delacour/

** https://swing-feminin.com/catherine-lacoste-je-sortais-souvent-mon-fer-1-du-sac-quand-il-y-avait-du-vent/