French International Celine Boutier netted her fourth career win at the Maybank LPGA Championship after a long-drawn playoff against Thai prodigy Atthaya Thitikul. The hard-earned victory also solidifies her position as the leader in the Race to Costa del Sol ranking as well as makes her a strong contender in the Rolex Player of the Year standings.

But a marathon playoff like this is always a test of endurance. Boutier too faced moments where her patience was tested as one of her birdie putts lipped out. After the match, the French International opened up about those frustrating moments and reflected on the thrilling playoff that went back and forth till the ninth hole.

Celine Boutier opens up about the thrilling win

In marathon playoffs like this one, there are moments when one player comes close to winning before losing the lead. Were there any such moments in the match-up where the French International felt she could win?

Speaking to the media after the match, the 29-year-old golfer revealed there indeed were moments like this. The French golfer said, “I think it was probably either the first or the second hole playoff that I had a really good chance to win and kind of lipped out.” She admitted it was definitely “a little bit heartbreaking.”

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Nevertheless, the same can be said of Thitikul as well. The game was swinging like a pendulum in each hole. Although the tense playoff eventually saw the French international come out with flying colors, the 20-year-old Thai International gave her a run for the money. Even Boutier admits. “I thought it was honestly kind of going back and forth between her and I.”

With this Boutier claims her fourth title of the season, including one Major at the Amundi Evian Championship. Among all the four, the Malaysian win is perhaps her most hard-earned victory. 

The playoff was a test of patience and nerve

Boutier was all set to win after a brilliant eight under 64 in the final round saw her take the lead. However, the Thai prodigy quickly caught up with her with a 68 that tied them at an aggregate of 21-under 267.

Read More: Eying Her Fourth LPGA Triumph, Celine Boutier Reveals How Her Career Changed in Just Under 300 Days!

That ensued a long-draw battle for the title that saw a nail-biting joust between the two LPGA pros at their best. Finally, in the ninth hole, par-3 15th, Boutier capitalized on a missed birdie putt from the Thai golfer to cup her own and eventually crowned the champion. Coming out with a win after such a thrilling playoff is sure to boost the 29-year-old LPGA pro’s confidence.

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