LONDON (Reuters) - Padraig Harrington and Sergio Garcia lock horns on British soil for the first time since their Carnoustie playoff last year when they compete in next month's European Open.

British Open champion Harrington and runner-up Garcia will be joined by last year's European number one Justin Rose and Colin Montgomerie at the London Golf Club in Kent, organisers said in a news release on Tuesday.

Spaniard Garcia will be making his first appearance in Europe since winning the U.S. PGA Tour's Players Championship at Sawgrass last month.

Irishman Harrington will look to fine tune his game ahead of his British Open title defence at Royal Birkdale later in the month.

Montgomerie became the most prolific British winner on the European Tour when he claimed his 31st title by winning last year's European Open at the K Club in Ireland, surpassing Nick Faldo's record of 30.

Golf fans will be allowed in free to watch Thursday's first-round action at the Jack Nicklaus-designed Heritage course on July 3.

(Writing by Tony Jimenez, Editing by Clare Fallon)