Matthieu Pavon’s tattoo: What is written on the French golfer’s hand?

Matthieu Pavon, who heads into the final round of the US Open in a tie for second, will draw motivation from an eye-catching tattoo as he bids to win the first major title of his career. Written in block capitals, covering most of the back of the Frenchman’s right hand, is the English-language sentence: “The saliva that flows now will become the tears of joy tomorrow”.

What’s the story behind Pavon’s tattoo?

Apparently taken from the Havard University Library, the phrase is all “about hard work and humility”, Pavon told CNN after winning the Farmers Insurance Open in January - his first victory on the PGA Tour. “It was written on the walls [of the library] by some of the students. I think they decided to put ‘saliva’ because it’s about all the study and all the talking they have to do for college stuff.”

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Pavon, who despite being 31 is in his rookie season on the PGA Tour, added: “The sweat you’re gonna have to put into the gym, into those long-range sessions, they will just become some tears and proud moments on lifting a trophy […]. I read it [the tattoo] like 100 times on the last six holes [at the Farmers Insurance Open] and it really calmed me down.”

Per Golf.com, the world No. 24 also explained: “You know how it is on the Golf course, sometimes your head flies away a little bit and you have to get back to the present moment to refocus yourself. Sentences, like, they are telling me why I play Golf, why I’m here. They show me - they give me a little extra confidence.

What is Pavon’s US Open score and when does he tee off?

After shooting a one-under round of 69 on day three at Pinehurst Resort, Pavon goes into the final day of the US Open on four under, three strokes behind leader Bryson DeChambeau. Level with Rory McIlroy and Patrick Cantlay, Pavon begins his final round today at 2:21pm ET/11:21am PT.

DeChambeau also tees off at 2:21pm ET, while McIlroy and Cantlay begin their final rounds at 2:10pm ET/11:10am PT.

2024 US Open final round: how to watch

Viewers in the United States will be able to watch the final round of the US Open on NBC and Peacock between 12 noon and 7pm ET/9am and 4pm PT, and on the Golf Channel and Peacock from 7pm to 9pm ET/4pm to 7pm PT.