Julien Guerrier: “I think I’m taking a good turn”

Best Frenchman (with Adrien Saddier) in this 106th edition of the FedEx Open de France, Julien Guerrier scored a solid top 20. During his twelve previous outings at Golf National, the Rochelais had missed the cut ten times and his reference result remained then a 61st place acquired in… 2012!

Comments collected by Lionel VELLA, at the Golf National

GOLF PLANETE: This 18th place at -9 (275) constitutes, by far, your best performance in thirteen appearances at the French Open. Contract fulfilled?

Julien GUERRIER: I’m obviously happy overall. It’s a shame I didn’t give myself a little more opportunity today. I also fought very well, saving some good players. And above all, I, once again, did not concede the slightest bogey…

GP: Since hole n°9 during your 2nd round on Friday, you have completed 46 holes without the slightest error…

J.G. : Yes, it’s still a performance. Afterwards, there aren’t enough birdies on the card but it’s still great… I don’t remember the last time I went so many holes without making bogey. It’s quite rare, I admit. A little more here, on such a tricky course.

GP: Does this bode well for the Andalucia Masters and South Korea where the objective will be to enter the top 70 of the Race?

J.G. : Anyway, I continue to work. I try to do the best I can every time. We are all in the same situation. Afterwards, we take more or less good directions. I think I’m taking a good turn. I’m starting to see things getting better. I know that when things are not going well, I still manage to get a score. But when I play well, I think I don’t score enough…

Each of my coaches brought me but Raph (Jacquelin) also brings me his (playing) experience. And then I also played with him, I admired him and, inevitably, when someone like that speaks to you, you listen to him differently perhaps.

Julien Guerrier

GP: Does this change also coincide with the collaboration that you began in February 2023 with Raphaël Jacquelin?

J.G. : Each of my coaches brought me but Raph also brings me his (playing) experience. And then I also played with him, I admired him and, inevitably, when someone like that speaks to you, you listen to him differently perhaps. He sure has the words. He is a calm, very composed person… He often has the right words. He tells me that I will obviously miss shots but that I will also make some. We tell ourselves that we don’t need to only hit good shots to win a tournament. This takes the pressure off you. It’s little details like that that help…

GP: Despite the fact that you will be 40 years old and quite a bit of experience on the Tour?

J.G. : I think even at 60, I will still be learning. Even Raph (Jacqueline) ! We learn every day. This game is so complex. And that’s why we love him.

GP: On what aspects have you focused your work with the Belgian Jérôme Theunis with whom you are also starting a collaboration?

J.G. : For the moment, it’s very technical. Very biomechanical more precisely. I try to integrate that into my routine, into the way I train. For the moment, I’m still having a little trouble organizing everything, respecting what he tells me and bringing it all to the course in order to feel comfortable. It’s still a little crumbly. I think he will be able to teach me a lot of things that I didn’t know.

Photo : Tomas Stevens / ffgolf