Matt Kuchar hopes 'high golf IQ' will see him right on Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship debut

American world No 15 says he is 'pretty good at charting a golf course

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland looks on during the pro-am prior to the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship at Abu Dhabi Golf Club. Andrew Redington / Getty Images

Tyrrell Hatton of England plays his shot from the ninth tee. Andrew Redington / Getty Images

A general view of the Falcon Clubhouse at Abu Dhabi Golf Club. Andrew Redington / Getty Images

Dustin Johnson of the United States speaks to the media prior to the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship. Tom Dulat/Getty Images

Paul Lawrie of Scotland looks on from the range during the pro-am. Andrew Redington/Getty Images

Rafa Cabrera Bello of Spain plays a shot during the pro-am. Andrew Redington/Getty Images

Matt Kuchar of the United States plays a shot on the 11th hole as his caddie Lance Bennett looks on during the pro-am. Andrew Redington/Getty Images

Paul Casey of England speaks to the media. Tom Dulat/Getty Images

Rafa Cabrera Bello of Spain plays his shot from the 13th tee during the pro-am. Andrew Redington/Getty Images

Henrik Stenson of Sweden practices on the range. Andrew Redington/Getty Images

Matt Kuchar says he has “hopes, but not expectations” of a strong display on his debut at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, presented by EGA.

It is the first time the world No 15 has played anywhere in the Middle East, and he is returning to playing for the first time after a holiday with his family in Patagonia.

Despite the lack of practice in the build-up, and a course knowledge that extends to just 27-holes’ worth, the American is confident his “high golf IQ” can make him a contender.

“I think I'm pretty good at charting a golf course,” Kuchar, 39, said on Wednesday.

“I think my golf education and golf knowledge is fairly high, with a fairly high golf IQ, and [am good at] trying to figure out how to plot my way around a golf course.

“It helps to have some knowledge. I'm sure there will be a few missed shots that I probably didn't understand quite the severity of how bad that miss may end up.

“I think course knowledge is one thing, and I think executing is another thing. If I execute well, I think I'll have a good week.”

The National Course - hole by hole

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Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship

• Rory McIlroy hits 'reset' to focus on strong start to 2018 at Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship
• Key numbers behind the tournament
• Martin Kaymer interview: Three-time champion has only fond memories of Abu Dhabi
• Talking points: McIlroy's comeback, Fleetwood's defence
• Player profiles: The 'Magnificent Seven'

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High-profile American players have proved it is possible to adapt quickly to playing at the National Course in the past.

Rickie Fowler made an indifferent debut in 2015, but was the tournament winner a year later, while Dustin Johnson was tied for second on his first visit to the capital 12 months ago.

“Certainly, it is characteristic of desert courses back home, just with fairways and then waste areas,” Kuchar said of the layout at Abu Dhabi Golf Club.

“It's got the Bermudagrass greens, which certainly makes me feel at home being a southerner. We see a lot of that in Florida and Georgia.

“I've always watched on TV and then talked to a number of the guys about the course coming over here, and they really enjoyed it.”