Boutier and Pavon carry French hopes of golfing glory

PARIS : France's hopes of finishing on the podium in the Olympic golf competition have been boosted by the ascent of Celine Boutier and Matthieu Pavon over the past year.

The French contingent will have two representatives each in the men's and the women's competitions, which take place at Le Golf National south of Paris in early August.

    Each competition will have 60 participants face off over four rounds in a stroke-play format, with the United States boasting the biggest contingent, headlined by world number ones Scottie Scheffler and Nelly Korda.

    Boutier's stellar 2023, including a first major title at the Evian Championship on home soil, lifted her as high as number three in the women's world rankings.

    Pavon, meanwhile, has established himself on the PGA Tour, finishing fifth at last month's U.S. Open to climb as high as 20th in the men's game.

    "This season is the best of my career so it's fair to say the Olympic Games have come at just the right time," Pavon told reporters at Le Golf National.

    "I don't really feel any pressure at the moment. It's more excitement and wanting to start the competition because we've been waiting for this for years."

    The Paris Games will be the first Olympic experience for Pavon and teammate Victor Perez.

    The Olympics will also be a first major event for women golfers at Le Golf National, but Boutier is familiar with the venue, which houses a training centre for the country's youth players.

    "It's an advantage knowing where you are and having your bearings," she said. "But it's such a tough course that in any case you're going to have to play good golf."

    Boutier's form dipped earlier this year but she feels she is about to turn the corner.

    "I feel I'm heading