One of the great names of European golf, Spain’s Jose Maria Olazabal, will be in action at Littlestone Golf Club on Tuesday.

The two-time Masters champion (pictured) will be one of the 72 players competing in Local Final Qualifying for next month’s Open Championship at Royal St George’s.

Olazabal, who earlier this year was appointed captain of Europe’s 2012 Ryder Cup team, is having to take part in Open qualifying because of his on-going rheumatism problems which meant that last year he only competed in three European Tour events.

Tuesday’s competition takes place over 36 holes and Olazabal will tee off at 8.50am and 2.20pm in an appetising three-ball which also features two other European Tour regulars, Sweden’s Joakim Haeggman and Magnus Carlsson.

Stuart Fullager, the Littlestone GC secretary, said: “We are delighted that Jose Maria Olazabal will be playing here on Tuesday and we are hoping that as many spectators as possible will come along to watch him in action.

“There is no admission charge and visitors will be welcome.”

The top three in Tuesday’s competition will qualify for the Open Championship at Royal St George’s, starting on July 14.