Ex-Duke Star On Verge of Olympic Gold After Spectacular Performance
By Joe Summers
Former Duke star Celine Boutier put herself in a fantastic position to take home a gold medal in the women's Olympics golf competition, jumping out to a three-shot lead after the first round on Wednesday.
A France native, Boutier looked right at home en route to a stellar 65 to shoot seven under par. The 30-year-old professional graduated in 2016 after a storied career as a Blue Devil, ranking ninth in school history in wins (4).
She's still got a ways to go before medals can be awarded, but it's hard to imagine a better start for Boutier.
Former Duke Star Celine Boutier Dominates Opening Olympics Golf Round
Last year Celine Boutier became the first home winner ever of the Evian Championship. Today she shot an opening 7 under 65 at Le Golf National, to take a 3 shot lead at her home Olympics. Awesome 🔥 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/yNaRzZFodW
— Flushing It (@flushingitgolf) August 7, 2024
She was one of only two golfers to break 70 with her final score, jumping in front of a competitive field at a venue she clearly feels comfortable in.
South Africa’s Ashleigh Buhai is in second place, three strokes behind Boutier. Outisde of Buhai, no golfer is within five strokes of the lead.
The second round will begin early Thursday morning as Boutier hopes to fend off the field and capture an Olympic medal in her home country. She's become the overwhelming favorite, thanks in large part due to her unrivaled work on the greens.
Boutier gained 4.86 strokes with her putter, easily the best mark of the first round. She won the 2023 Evian Championship on her home soil last year to capture her first major championship, setting the stage for what would be a career-defining highlight.
Jayson Tatum isn't the only former Duke star on track for gold, and now Boutier can etch herself into the history books as one of the most accomplished athletes in school history.
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