The ever-energetic Pauline Roussin-Bouchard is feeling great and loving life in Seoul as she prepares to defend her Aramco Team Series crown at New Korea Country Club.
The French star produced one of the all-time great Ladies European Tour (LET) performances at this event in Singapore last year as she fired a final round 64 (-8) to outclass Major winners Danielle Kang and Lydia Ko to secure victory.
“It was such a special week [last year in Singapore],” Roussin-Bouchard remembers. “Having my boyfriend on the bag and having my mum there and my coach. Him being able to witness his first player’s win. Honestly it was magical. The course was beautiful and the food was just the best thing ever.”
Landing her second LET title in the process, Roussin-Bouchard would go on to have more success at the Aramco Team Series winning the 36-hole Team competition as a captain in Florida and Tampa – the latter coming two months ago where she also placed T12 in the Individual event.
“I just love the format [of the Aramco Team Series],” she said. “Yes, it can be long sometimes playing as a foursome, but I think it brings out the best in people in terms of being able to play for more than just yourself.
“It brings back some memories [for me] of playing for the national team and the University of South Carolina when I was in college. It just gives an entirely different dynamic that I just love. I enjoy everything about these weeks, the atmosphere is amazing and the music always puts you in a good mood.”
As for this week, Roussin-Bouchard has been embracing the Korean culture while having her very own itinerary expert on the bag – her cousin Carla.
The 23-year-old said: “I’m feeling good. It’s nice to be back in Asia, in Korea. I’ve been enjoying my stay out here so far. My cousin is caddying for me this week. It’s her first time on the bag, her first time being inside the ropes. It’s so much fun. She showed up in Korea with an entire PDF of places to go to, monuments to see, food to eat! So we’ve been eating a lot and enjoying our time. A lot of good vibes.
“We’ve seen a few of the temples and a couple of the old Korean towns. And food wise we did Korean BBQ and fluffy pancakes which were really good. So far we’ve walked a lot, worked out a lot. So we’re very sore. We’re matching energies. We’re two energised bunnies so it’s been fun. A lot of fun!”
On to the golf, and Roussin-Bouchard has enjoyed an excellent start to the season currently sitting 11th in the Order of Merit, a spot boosted by her runner-up finish at the Lalla Meryem Cup.
More recently the Frenchwoman placed T21 at the NSW Women’s Open before returning stateside to tee at a U.S Women’s Open qualifier where she secured a spot in the prestigious field.
“I’ve been all over,” Roussin-Bouchard explained. “I went to Spain for a training camp and shared some experiences with some guys on the DP World Tour and the Challenge Tour. It was great to be able to share different perspectives with them. Then I went back home to South Carolina, went to Florida to see some coaches, did a lot of workouts and running. Some horse-riding as well. Then I qualified for the U.S. Open! That’s a good one.
“The game has been feeling great. It was definitely a grind for those 36 holes for U.S. Open qualifying. Obviously before that I didn’t play for three weeks after Australia. So it was all about getting ready for 36 holes. It was intense but I was home which was nice.”
One of 36 team captains this week, Roussin-Bouchard leads a side consisting of Swedish duo Linnea Johansson and Anna Magnusson. Follow the tournament @LETgolf on Instagram and X and Ladies European Tour on Facebook and YouTube – #RaiseOurGame #SeeTheImpact.
