Boutier hangs on wins Annika Invitational
- By Ajga Staff
- Feb 21, 2011 11:34 PM ET
REUNION, Fla.– Céline Boutier of
Montrouge, France,walked away from the Annika Invitational with her
first U.S. win in only her second AJGA tournament. Boutier’s
second-round 66 proved to be paramount in securing the
victory.
Conducted by the American Junior Golf Association, the ANNIKA Invitational was a 54-hole stroke play event held at Reunion Resort, home of the Annika Academy. The girls-only field played the par-72 Independence (Watson) Course at 6,275yards. The 72-player field featured 25 Rolex Junior All-Americans and players from 15 states and 12 foreign countries.
Boutier’s second-round showing put her ahead by four strokes going into the last 18 holes of play. After a final-round front nine that included four consecutive bogeys, Boutier knew she had to refocus in order to conquer a windy back nine.
“I was very nervous because it was the last day,” said Boutier. “The first nine was very hard but I tried to do my best and after I parred No. 9, I did better on the back.”
An even-par performance on the final nine holes kept Boutier ahead of charging competitors. After a stray tee shot on No. 17, an eight-foot par putt completed a tough up-and-down giving her enough momentum going into the final hole to claim the victory.
“There was a lot of pressure playing in the U.S. against golfers I’ve never competed with before,” Boutier said. “It feels good to win and be here with Annika.”
Doris Chen of Bradenton, Fla., came within two shots but would get no closer, finishing alone in second place with a 1-under-par 215 tournament total. Alison Lee of Valencia, Calif., and Aurora Kan of Boothwyn, Pa., share a tie for second after posting even-par 216s, while Lake Oswego, Ore., resident Kendall Prince rounded out the top five with a tournament total of 1-over-par 217.
Conducted by the American Junior Golf Association, the ANNIKA Invitational was a 54-hole stroke play event held at Reunion Resort, home of the Annika Academy. The girls-only field played the par-72 Independence (Watson) Course at 6,275yards. The 72-player field featured 25 Rolex Junior All-Americans and players from 15 states and 12 foreign countries.
Boutier’s second-round showing put her ahead by four strokes going into the last 18 holes of play. After a final-round front nine that included four consecutive bogeys, Boutier knew she had to refocus in order to conquer a windy back nine.
“I was very nervous because it was the last day,” said Boutier. “The first nine was very hard but I tried to do my best and after I parred No. 9, I did better on the back.”
An even-par performance on the final nine holes kept Boutier ahead of charging competitors. After a stray tee shot on No. 17, an eight-foot par putt completed a tough up-and-down giving her enough momentum going into the final hole to claim the victory.
“There was a lot of pressure playing in the U.S. against golfers I’ve never competed with before,” Boutier said. “It feels good to win and be here with Annika.”
Doris Chen of Bradenton, Fla., came within two shots but would get no closer, finishing alone in second place with a 1-under-par 215 tournament total. Alison Lee of Valencia, Calif., and Aurora Kan of Boothwyn, Pa., share a tie for second after posting even-par 216s, while Lake Oswego, Ore., resident Kendall Prince rounded out the top five with a tournament total of 1-over-par 217.
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