Céline Boutier shares the top of the standings after the first round of the Sanya Ladies Open played this Friday at Yalong Bay Golf Club in Hainan, China, with the Thai Wichanee Meechai thanks to a very good card of 67 (-5)

Céline Boutier first round - Photo credit LET

The Frenchwoman confirmed after this first round her very good form at the end of the season by posting a card of 67 (-5) finding herself co-leader, tied with the Thai Meechai Wichanee.
This is only the 3rd participation for the Parisienne of the PGCC, on the Ladies European Tour this season before joining the LPGA Tour in 2018. She had her best performance on the LET during the last fortnight, finishing tied for 11 e place during the Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Open and 6 e  tied at the Indian Ocean Women's Hero Open. The Duke University graduate said she felt her Stateside experience was a real plus. "This course is similar to the ones I play in the United States, because of the Bermuda grass," said the 24-year-old from Montrouge, who is discovering China for the first time. “We don't really find this type of grass in Europe. On the course you have to know how to chop through the rough which can be difficult. finally in putting you have to pay attention to the grain to find the line and the right speed », she said after taking in five birdies without making any mistakes.

The other French women in the running

Anne-Lise Caudal, points to 16th place thanks to a beautiful 70 (-2), the other French women were not at the party for this first round. Camille Chevalier, recent winner of the Indian Women's Open had to settle for a 61st place, 74 (+2), close to her compatriots Valentine Derrey and Sophie Giquel-Bettan. Agathe Sauzon, for her part, suffered even more and is in 106th position after her 78 (+6).