France’s Celine Boutier finished with an impressive score of 19-under-par, securing her first title of the year at her maiden Aramco Team Series presented by PIF tournament at Mission Hills China. Starting the day tied for the lead with China’s Xiyu Lin, the two players exchanged the top spot throughout the round. Ultimately, it was Boutier who emerged victorious, carding a bogey-free round for the second consecutive day. “It was a great round. I definitely feel like we started really hot with Janet [Xiyu Lin], so it was fun to be able to battle it out. I’m very happy with my round; I wish a few putts had dropped. I was honestly super happy with how I handled today. “It was close the whole day. One or two shots can swing pretty fast after one hole or two, so you definitely have to be on your toes until the end. I’m super happy with the way I played the last few holes. “I feel pretty good. I like China, so hopefully I can win some more tournaments here.”

In her first home event since winning bronze in Paris, Xiyu Lin drew large crowds of fans eager to support their hometown hero. Lin fought hard for the lead throughout the day, finishing just two strokes behind Boutier at 17-under-par. “Celine played unbelievably; a seven-under round and bogey-free is hard to beat, especially when my putter is not on. When I got to 18, I was two shots behind, so I knew I had a very slim chance. “I had to give it 100%. I hit a good drive and probably one of the best 3-woods I made all week. It’s nice; I came up just short, but hearing the crowds cheering for me was pretty unbelievable.” The competition for third place heated up as Shenzhen’s winning team captain, Chiara Tamburlini, went head-to-head with three-time winner Pauline Roussin-Bouchard. Roussin-Bouchard made a late push by sinking an eagle on the 16th hole, ending in T3 with Tamburlini, as both players recorded the lowest rounds of the event at 65.

The Swiss rookie was just three strokes short of making history as the first player to win both the team and individual titles in the same event. Noah Alireza, CEO of Golf Saudi, said: “What an incredible show of golf we experienced this weekend at the Aramco Team Series’ first visit to Shenzhen. On behalf of the Golf Saudi team, we extend a heartfelt congratulations to our exceptional winners, who continue to raise the standard of excellence in golf, inspiring players and fans worldwide.” Introduced by Golf Saudi back in 2021, the Aramco Team Series presented by PIF comprises five $1million events played over the course of the Ladies European Tour season. With four players crowned champions at each tournament - three from the team element, plus an individual winner - the Aramco Team Series presented by PIF has already welcomed more than 50 players into its winners’ circle, together sharing more than $20million in prize money. The Series will take to the desert sand of Saudi Arabia’s capital from October 31 - November 2 as 28 teams have one more chance to put themselves on the map for the 2024 season of the Aramco Team Series presented by PIF. For more information, please visit www.aramcoteamseries.com

About the Aramco Team Series presented by PIF

The Aramco Team Series presented by PIF events are both unique and historic and epitomise Aramco’s status as one of the most committed investors in female golf today. The investment by Aramco as the headline sponsor makes them one of the biggest backers of the women’s game in Europe. The five Aramco Team Series presented by PIF events are a significant step forward for women’s sports and follow the hugely successful Aramco Saudi Ladies International presented by PIF and Saudi Ladies Team International. The Aramco Team Series presented by PIF is the first team event series of its kind on any professional tour. Taking place across three continents, the tournaments will see the world’s best players team up with amateur golfers to compete for $1 million in prize funds. Using a unique draft system, team captains will pick one pro teammate, before being allocated a third via a random draw. Completing each team will be one amateur golfer. As well as competing for the team trophy, the professionals will also vie for an individual title, offering Rolex Rankings and Solheim Cup ranking points, and will be part of the Order of Merit Rankings. This is the only event in world golf where an amateur contributes to the final result in the main team competition. Prize money for the winning team is split between its three professional members.

 

About Golf Saudi

Golf Saudi facilitates uptake and participation in golf through the delivery of world-class facilities, operational excellence and the implementation of industry best practice to position the Kingdom as an exceptional golfing nation. Combined with grass roots training and education programmes that introduce people to the game at the earliest opportunity and with the greatest ease, Golf Saudi is committed to delivering a dynamic national development programme that transforms the golfing landscape.

Twitter: @Golf_Saudi Instagram: @Golf_Saudi Facebook: @GolfSaudi

 

About Saudi Golf Federation

The Saudi Golf Federation is dedicated to promoting and sponsoring the sport of golf, aligning with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030. With its headquarters in Riyadh, the federation actively develops organizational and educational strategies to encourage Saudi nationals’ involvement in golf, demonstrating its commitment to fostering the sport's growth and expanding its participant base across the country.

Twitter:@SaudiGF_ Instagram:@SaudiGF_

 

About Aramco

As one of the world’s leading integrated energy and chemicals companies, our global team is dedicated to creating impact in all that we do, from providing crucial oil supplies to developing new energy technologies. We focus on making our resources more dependable, more sustainable and more useful, helping to promote growth and productivity around the world. www.aramco.com

 

About the Ladies European Tour

The LET inspires women and girls to pursue their passion and realise their potential through the game of golf. At our core, we aim to build and deliver an extensive competitive schedule of events to enable our strong, energetic, proud and confident players to compete at the highest level, pursue their dreams and lead by example. Our diverse and multicultural membership of 402 professional golfers represents as many as 43 countries. We are a global tour with roots in Europe. We aim to entertain and excite, but also to enhance health and quality of life, as a responsible, committed and respectful partner. Inspiring – our players are inspiring role models to follow and encourage others to pursue their own dreams. Passionate – we are driven by a passion to perform to our full potential and get better every day. It’s not just about the money or the glory, but a true love for the game. Committed – we are fiercely committed to continuous improvement and recognise the grit that it takes to achieve long-term goals. 2024 marks the 46th season of golf tournaments since the professional tour was founded in November 1978. This year’s schedule includes 31 events in 20 different countries and a prize fund of at least €35 million. The LET Access Series is the official development tour of the LET, formed to give players an opportunity to compete and progress onto the LET and achieve their dreams in professional golf.

 

About Mission Hills Group

The Mission Hills Group – owner and operator of world-class resorts in the heart of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Hainan Free Trade Port – is a pioneer in China’s hospitality, sports and leisure industry. The fully-integrated Mission Hills resorts span more than 40 square kilometers, including 22 championship golf courses – making it the world’s largest golf facility – plus five-star hotels, award-winning spas and volcanic mineral springs, international convention centers, state-of-the-art golf academies, a 28-pitch football training base, Asia’s largest basketball school and Asia’s biggest tennis facility. Other significant projects at Mission Hills include shopping and entertainment at Mission Hills Centreville, Bromsgrove School Mission Hills in collaboration with the 550-year-old British boarding school, co-operations with world-renowned hotel brands Hard Rock, Renaissance and Ritz-Carlton, Mission Hills Movie Town, and ground-breaking partnerships with NBA and PGA of America.

Instagram: @MISSIONHILLSCHINA

Facebook:  @MISSIONHILLSCHINA

Youtube: @MISSIONHILLSCHINA