Champagne Showers in France: Celine Boutier Becomes First Frenchwoman to Win Evian Championship

The Evian Championship might be the newest LPGA major, but Céline Boutier, a native of Montrouge, France, has nonetheless cemented her name in the tournament’s history.  

Boutier brought the Evian Resort Golf Club spectators incredible joy on Sunday when she became the first Frenchwoman to win her country’s lone major championship. The four-time LPGA winner is just the third Frenchwoman to win a major, the last being Catherine Lacoste, who won the U.S. Women’s Open in 1967. 

MORE: Final purse winnings from Evian Championship

“It honestly has been my biggest dream ever since I started watching golf. This tournament has always been very special to me, just even watching as a teenager. To be able to hold this trophy is pretty unbelievable,” Boutier said of winning in Évian-les-Baines. 

Just moments after the 29-year-old’s final par putt dropped and her dreams were officially realized, her fellow competitors showered her in champagne as a booming standing ovation from her hometown crowd commenced.  

The Duke University product stormed to victory, winning by a stunning six shots for a 14-under tournament total. Canada’s Brooke Henderson finished in solo second with a final-round 70 to reach 8 under for the championship. 

Boutier shot 66-69-67-68 to claim her second victory of the LPGA season and the first major championship of her career. 

No other player in the major field shot four rounds in the 60s. 

With a three-shot lead heading into the final round, Boutier appeared to only embrace the weight of her home country and showed no signs of weakness, especially at the start of her round. 

Boutier opened with back-to-back birdies and carded a 3-under 32 on her front nine. An even-par 36 on the back was all she needed to solidify the historic result. 

Boutier will compete in the final major of the LPGA season, the AIG Women’s British Open, in just a few weeks time. But in her eyes, the rest of the season won’t hold as much weight after this momentous victory. 

“I think nothing else matter now that I have this trophy, so I’m really good for the rest of the year,” Boutier said. 

The celebrations will continue in Evian and across the golf communities of France on Sunday evening as the country appropriately rejoices their major champion.