Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton tees off from the 10th on Wednesday during the curtain-raising Pro-Am event to the the European Open Picture: Barry Goodwin

Ross Fisher will attempt to become the first player since English compatriot Lee Westwood in 2000 to successfully defend the European Open title when he takes on a world class field at the London Golf Club from Thursday.

Fisher produced four sublime rounds to hold off the challenge of Sergio Garcia and Graeme McDowell at the Ash venue last year and complete an emphatic seven stroke victory.

It was a majestic performance from Fisher , who started the tournament with a stunning course record 63 before finishing on a 20 under par 268.

“It’s going to be tremendous to go back to The London Club to defend my title,” said Fisher, who is based at Wentworth Golf Club. “Hopefully, I can put in a strong performance and make a good defence.

“It would be great to follow in the footsteps of someone like Lee and successfully defend the title. But to do so I will need to be on top of my game because the field is so strong.

“The course suits my eye though. To shoot a 63 in the first round , having not seen the course before, shows that.” Fisher, 28, followed his European Open triumph by going on to finish a career-best sixth on the 2008 money list, coming close to landing a third European Tour title when he and Martin Kaymer lost to Robert Karlsson in a three-man play-off in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews in October.

This weekend’s tournament runs from May 28-31.