Jordan Spieth has admitted that the target is on his back as he prepares to enter a tournament as world number one for the first time.

The Masters and US Open champion will start The Barclays this week at the top of the rankings after climbing above Rory McIlroy, but he insists that he will not allow the added pressure to change his approach to events.

"I'd like to obviously hold [the world number one ranking]," the 22-year-old told reporters. "There are people, plenty of guys on the tour right now that have held that position for longer than a week, and I'm happy to be in that position now.

"I don't know the feeling of trying to hold number one because now you're the one with the target and everyone else is chasing towards that position.

"The only way I think about going about it is just focusing on this week. If you win each week, you're going to stay number one and in my mind, the goal is to approach each tournament to try and win."

Spieth will be replaced by McIlroy as world number one if he fails to claim a tie for 14th place or higher.