Q. You're returning here. You finished high last time.
WHITNEY HILLIER: Fifth last year.
Q. Are you excited to be back playing the tournament again this week?
WHITNEY HILLIER: Yes, I love it here. It's one of the best golf courses on Tour. It sets the standard pretty quickly early on in the year.
No, I'm just really excited for the week ahead. It's getting better and better for women's golf, especially in Saudi. This is pretty exciting.
Q. A lot of players seem to say this is one of the best courses. What is it you like about the course at Royal Greens?
WHITNEY HILLIER: The layout. I like it. It's well cast. The greens are really nice as well. I actually love the grain. It's a bit snakey there, so you've just got to be careful. No, it's a great golf course. Good vibes out here too. This whole setup is pretty cool.
Q. This is your first event of the season. You didn't play in Kenya. How are you feeling getting into the new season, and how have you been hitting the club this week?
WHITNEY HILLIER: So I actually played at home the first two events, the player series, the mixed events, and the big Open as well. So that was a good start to the year. So I've got quite a bit of good confidence going into this week. Hitting it good this week so far. I've just obviously got to work on putting and just make sure it stays right.
Q. Where is your Scottish caddie? He's not here?
WHITNEY HILLIER: He's quit caddieing.
Q. What did you do to him?
WHITNEY HILLIER: Hopefully not too much (laughter). No, no, he's just working on some things at home. He's only young anyway. He's great.
I'll have a new caddie George from Thailand onward. Unfortunately, I'm on my own, but I feel good. I can do it.
Q. Maybe that will be a secret weapon.
WHITNEY HILLIER: I'm just going to carry, I think. It's a lot easier to carry, playing into the sand.
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