The American has shown signs of returning to form in recent times, finishing tied for third at the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship last month and winning the ChevronWorldChallenge event he hosts in December.
Westwood could lose top spot to Tiger Woods, whom he dethroned at the end of October, if he fails to finish in the top two at the Gary Player Country Club and the American wins the ChevronWorldChallenge in California, where he led by four shots after the second round.