Westwood relishing the buzz of South Africa

Lee Westwood is excited to have the "buzz" of returning to Sun City as defending champion when he tees up at the Nedbank Golf Challenge hosted by Gary Player.

Lee Westwood is excited to have the "buzz" of returning to Sun City as defending champion when he tees up at the Nedbank Golf Challenge hosted by Gary Player.

The Englishman secured his first win since 2014 when he claimed a three shot victory at Gary Player Country Club last year - clinching his 24th European Tour title of an illustrious career.

As a result, Westwood became just the fourth player to win this event on three occasions, joining an elite group of David Frost, Nick Price and Ernie Els - who kicks off the tournament on Thursday.

There is a field full of Major champions and players at the top of the 2019 Race to Dubai Rankings presented by Rolex in South Africa, in addition to wildlife from the nearby Pilanesberg National Park, but Westwood is confident he can challenge once again.

"It's always great to come back to Sun City," Westwood said. "I've been coming here for a long time now and it's a place I love. It's a great resort.

"I obviously enjoy playing the golf course. Played well on it in the past and well last year, so it's nice to come back and defend.

"It's good fun. There's a buzz if you're coming back as defending champion. I don't tend to feel any more pressure. It's just nice to come back to somewhere where you know you can play well.

"I've got good memories of it, I'd like to do it again obviously. I'll just be trying to play my best and if I'm in there in contention on Sunday, I'll be pleased with that."

Westwood has been unable to add to his 24 European Tour titles this season but has recorded four top ten finishes, included tied for fourth at the Open Championship in Royal Portrush.

He arrives in South Africa on the back of his tenth placed position at last week's Turkish Airlines Open and hopes he can build on his recent good form due to the familiarity of Gary Player Country Club.

"When I first came here, years ago, I think it was 1994 or 1995, I found it really difficult," Westwood added.

"But over the years, I've sort of formulated a game plan and known where to take shots on and be aggressive and know where to back off and play to the middle of the greens.

"Course management is very high up in your priorities this week.

"It's a bit like Augusta in a certain regard; that the more you play it, the more sort of familiar and comfortable you get on it.

"You just know in the back of your mind, I've won three Nedbanks, so if I get into contention, I'm going to know what to do because I've been in that situation before. You can really just feed off that.

"I haven't won this year, but I've played well in spells. I'm just looking forward to having a good week and picking up where I left off last week because I played well in Turkey."