Lee Westwood finds time is essence of being No 1

"I have a lot more commitments than before," he said on the eve of the Sun City Challenge. "Normally I'd be on the range practising but these days I have to do (more] interviews.

"I have to talk about the game a lot more, and not just golf, other sports too, so time-management is very important," added Westwood as he prepared for the 12-man tournament being held at the Gary Player Country Club. "My first week at No 1 was spent in China and it added to the surprise that they gave me a security guard from the start. I was wondering why but at the end I knew why."

The 37-year-old, who took over at the top of the rankings a month ago, says that there is no added pressure on him to perform this week.

"If playing well creates pressure then I think you're sending out the wrong message, there's something wrong," added Westwood.

"It doesn't make it any harder to win. With the No 1 tag comes a lot of confidence, people are saying you're the best player in the world." Westwood is chasing a first prize of $1 million at an event that was first held in 1981. "I love coming here, there's a good feel and I enjoy the course," he said. "There's great prize money and I always enjoy playing in front of South African galleries. They're always very passionate about their sport."

Westwood is joined in Sun City by three other players ranked in the top 20 - Ernie Els (13), Retief Goosen (19) and Edoardo Molinari (17).

The other contenders are holder Robert Allenby, Padraig Harrington, Justin Rose, Ross Fisher, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Tim Clark and Anders Hansen.