Today’s Golfer caught up with great champion and local hero, Céline Boutier, to talk all things Olympic golf ahead of Paris 2024.
Céline Boutier is a five-time LPGA Tour champion, including one Major, and she also has five LET victories to her name. Céline Boutier will represent France at the Paris Olympics in August, alongside fellow LPGA Tour player Perrine Delacour. We spoke with Céline Boutier about her play on the host course, Le Golf National, and the Olympic atmosphere in Paris.
Having grown up 30 minutes from the course and being part of the youth academy at Le Golf National, how special will it be to return and represent your country on such a global stage again?
It will be incredible. When I was a kid watching the Olympics, I never imagined that I would be playing golf in the Olympics in my home country, let alone at Le Golf National. It’s always an honour to represent your country, so to be able to do it at home will be even more special.
Do you feel extra pressure carrying the hopes of your nation on your shoulders, or is that something you accept?
I think I prefer to talk about support rather than pressure. Like in the Evian Championship last year, there was obviously some pressure playing at home, but the feeling of support that came over us was incredible and helped to ease the pressure.
Will you attend the Opening Ceremony and stay in the Olympic Village?
I will be attending the opening ceremony, but like many golf teams, we will not be staying in the village as the drive to the National is quite long.
We will be staying together as a team in a location west of Paris, which offers easier access to the golf course. I am spending some time in Paris during the second week of the Olympics, so I am really looking forward to experiencing the atmosphere that the Games will bring.
How does Le Golf National compare to other courses you have played on the LPGA and LET?
It’s a very difficult course from tee to green, and I really think it could host a major tournament. The last four holes, in particular, are very difficult. The two island greens on 15 and 18 emphasize the fairway, so anything can happen on those holes, for sure.
What qualities do you think you need to have to play well there?
I think to be successful on this course you need to have a very good long game and it can be a bit windy so good ball control will help. I have very fond memories of winning an amateur tournament there so I would say it suits my game!
Nelly Korda is the favourite to win gold again, after winning in Tokyo. But do home advantage and course experience give you the edge?
Nelly has clearly dominated this year, she has proven to be tough to beat and of course she won gold in Tokyo last time. But every tournament is different and I know that if I play my best golf that week I will be close to winning. All I can do is focus on my own game and hope it is good enough to come out on top and win gold!
The Olympics are unique in that finishing second or third is always celebrated as a success. That’s not usually the case in golf. Would you be satisfied with a medal or is it all about winning for you?
That’s a great question. Gold is definitely my goal, but I guess I would get some satisfaction from winning a medal. But I think I would have to experience it to know for sure how it would feel!
About the Author
Michael Catling – Editor-in-Chief
Michael Catling is Today’s GolferEditor-in-chief of ‘s features and award-winning journalist specializing in major tournaments and golf tours, including DP World, PGA, LPGA and LIV.
Michael joined Today’s Golfer in 2016 and has traveled the world to attend the game’s biggest events and secure exclusive interviews with dozens of major champions, including Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson, Gary Player, Greg Norman, Viktor Hovland, Jordan Spieth, Xander Schauffele and Justin Thomas.
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