Los Angeles (United States) (AFP) – France’s Celine Boutier produced a jaw-dropping show of stamina to keep her LPGA Match Play hopes alive on Saturday, grinding through a staggering 45 holes before darkness halted her quarter-final duel with Sweden’s Madelene Sagstrom. The 31-year-old 11th seed’s exhausting day began in the last 16, when her match against South Africa’s Ashleigh Buhai finished all-square after 18 holes at the Shadow Creek Golf Course in Las Vegas. That sent both players into a marathon session of dramatic sudden death, which Boutier won on the 28th hole — the longest match in tournament history.
“It was definitely tough, definitely a grind,” Boutier said. “I feel like we both played pretty steady and went back and forth a lot. I had a few chances, and she had a few chances, so it was just all the way until the end, but I’m glad it’s over.” After that energy-sapping victory, Boutier had just 30 minutes before she was back out on the course for her quarter-final against Sagstrom. Another tense tussle unfolded, with the players level after 17 holes when darkness halted play.
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Boutier and Sagstrom will return early on Sunday to play the 18th, with a possibility of even more playoff holes. “It was a very long day,” Boutier said after play was suspended. “I feel kind of tired, but I feel like it was a good match again this afternoon, very tight and going back and forth with Madelene. So just got to keep pushing tomorrow.” Boutier or Sagstrom will face a semi-final against Angel Yin of the United States, who beat Thailand’s Jeeno Thitikul 4&2. Fellow Thai Ariya Jutanugarn reached the semi-finals by defeating Sweden’s Maja Stark 4&2. Ariya will face Lauren Coughlin of the United States after Coughlin had a one-up win over Australia’s Stephanie Kyriacou.
© 2024 AFP
