THE London Golf Club in Kent will host one of the most prestigious events on the Europrean Tour calendar this summer.

It was announced on Monday morning that The European Open is returning to England for the first time since 1994 this year, when the tournament takes place at the club, near Brands Hatch, in Ash.

The 31st edition of the event will be played on the Jack Nicklaus Heritage Course – a par72 of 7,208 yards - from July 3-6.

Eight-time European Tour Order of Merit winner Colin Montgomerie of Scotland is set to defend his title when The London Golf Club becomes the seventh venue to host the European Open.

It follows in the footsteps of Walton Heath, Turnberry, Royal Liverpool, Sunningdale, East Sussex National and, for the past 13 years, The K Club in Co. Kildare, Ireland.

Montgomerie, who won his 31st European Tour title in 2007, said: "I was delighted to be the last winner of the European Open at The K Club, after coming close there on a few occasions.

"That victory was very important in terms of my world ranking.

"I am now looking forward to defending one of the most prestigious titles on The European Tour at The London Golf Club in July.

"It’s great that we have a London venue on the schedule.

"Having played there quite recently, I know that it will unquestionably provide a stern examination for my Tour colleagues and myself and we can all look forward to a wonderful week in Kent."

Situated close to Brands Hatch in the north of the county and boasting two outstanding courses, The Heritage and The International, The London Golf Club is no stranger to tournament golf, first hosting the European Seniors Tour in 1995 when South African John Bland won the inaugural London Masters.

For the past three years, the club’s owners, the Bendinat Group, have been title sponsors of the London Seniors Masters, which has been won twice by Scotland’s Sam Torrance (2005 and 2007) and by Italy’s Giuseppe Cali in 2006.

Heath Harvey, general manager for The London Golf Club, said: "There was much speculation over where this event would go after its enormously successful run of 13 years at the K Club.

"To secure such a renowned tournament is testament to the club’s aspiration to be recognised as one of Europe’s foremost golfing venues.

"A tournament of this magnitude will undoubtedly put Kent in the European golfing spotlight.

"We look forward to welcoming some of the world’s top professionals for what will surely be the county’s largest sporting event of the year."

"For anyone who has visited the London Golf Club previously, they will be more than aware of its suitability as a tournament venue.

"To be hosting The European Open is testament to the Heritage’s championship pedigree and allows the course to live up to designer Jack Nicklaus’ original vision.

"Over the last four years the club has gone from strength to strength under its new owners, the Bendinat Group.

"We have worked tirelessly to develop an exceptional golfing experience and seeing The European Open come to The London Golf Club is recognition of this enormous effort."

George O’Grady, chief executive of The European Tour, said: "The European Open has been a superb fixture on The European Tour International Schedule for the past three decades, and since 1995 we have witnessed 13 tremendous editions of the event at The K Club in Co. Kildare.

"However, we are delighted to return to the UK in 2008 and to an outstanding venue in The Heritage course at The London Golf Club, which carries the stamp of its designer, Jack Nicklaus.

"Our members always enjoy visiting new locations, and The London Golf Club will provide an enjoyable and demanding examination in July."