After Scottie Scheffler's dramatic Olympic men's golf win, it's time for the world's best female golfers to take to the golf course at Le Golf National.

Celine Boutier's fine putting puts her way to the top of the leaderboard

Boutier had a memorable round on a course that was rated as a difficult one. After teeing off in front of her home fans at 11:55 a.m. local time, the 30-year-old French golfer recorded eight birdies and just one bogey for a 7-under 65.

Celine Boutier, of France, plays off the 12th tee during the first round of the women’s golf event at the 2024 Summer Olympics. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Boutier putted well, making three birdie putts from 20 feet and breaking away with three consecutive birdie putts on the back nine, with birdies on the 14th, 15th and 16th. The final shot was a chip-in from behind the green on the par-3 16th, which sent cheers up the course. It was a spectacular start to her Olympic medal bid on home soil.

"I'm really over the moon with the way the tournament started for me," the French golfer told the media

Read more: Olympic Paris 2024: Tee Times Announced for Women’s Golf Competition

Playing on home soil is never easy

This is Boutier's second time representing France at the Olympics, and she is looking to improve on her T34 finish on her Tokyo debut. Fellow countrymen Boutier and Perrine Delacour were joined by home male golfers Matthieu Pavon and Victor Perez for the Opening Ceremony. But perhaps most importantly, the fans turned out in droves to cheer on the French pair, eager to see them claim glory at Le Golf National.

Boutier admitted that the singing, flag-waving and cheering from her home fans was both gratifying and sometimes stressful, but she nonetheless appreciated the unwavering support.

"It's definitely not something I’m really used to from what I usually experience on the LPGA”, Boutier said. “So it’s nice to have that much support. Coming last weekend, being able to watch some of the men’s round and their tee shots helped me out just because I was able to see the support and the crowd that they got and was able to help prepare myself for today and for the rest of the week.” 

Fans showed out for @celineboutier's first tee 🇫🇷🇫🇷#Paris2024 | #Olympics pic.twitter.com/iWkyV4c2Bv

— Olympic Golf (@OlympicGolf) August 7, 2024

Boutier said playing in front of a raucous home crowd was a challenge but she was well prepared after watching the men play last week. Boutier watched the men from the stands and joined in the cheers and chants from the French fans for Victor Perez and Matthieu Pavon. And when it was her turn, Boutier did not disappoint.

Other notable golfers

Ashleigh Buhai of South Africa shot 68, with only 10 other players in under par. The group at 70 included Mexico's Gaby Lopez, who birdied the last three holes, and Lilia Vu. Vu briefly led but closed with a 70 to finish T3. Tokyo Games’ gold medalist and world No. 1 Nelly Korda shot 72, along with Rose Zhang and world No. 5 Ruoning Yin. Meanwhile, Boutier's compatriot Delacour struggled to reach 79.

#Paris2024 Round 1 complete ✅@celineboutier leads by three after 18 holes at Le Golf National! pic.twitter.com/XjURvyPSey

— Olympic Golf (@OlympicGolf) August 7, 2024