Former Ryder Cup captains, Colin Montgomerie and Mark James next Tuesday head a field of 288 players seeking just one of a dozen spots into next month’s (British) Open Championship at Muirfield.

The duo will tee-up in Tuesday’s 36-hole Local Final Qualifier at the Gullane course and one of four venues hosting qualifying in and around the Muirfield region to the east of Edinburgh.

Montgomerie, and the victorious 2010 European Ryder Cup captain, is returning to Local Final Qualifying for a first time since 1989 and just two years after turning professional.

The Scot had to forgo last Monday’s International Qualifier at Sunningdale in Surrey as he was on route to Pittsburgh and his senior tour debut at this week’s Senior Players Championship at the Fox Angel Club.

“I would have liked to have entered qualifying at Sunningdale but given I was travelling to the States on Monday that was not possible,” said Montgomerie.

“It means that I will just have to try my luck next week at Gullane and hopefully qualify for Muirfield.

“Competing in The Open is always special and it would be extra special on this occasion for me as I played in the last two Open’s at Muirfield in 1992 and 2002.

“Also I’m making my European Tour Senior Tour debut at week later in the Senior Open Championship at Birkdale and I’ve played three Open’s there in the past, so that is also going to a very special occasion for me.”

James, 59 was captain of the losing 1999 European Team at Brookline but has not teed-up in golf’s oldest Major since 2000 when he missed the cut at St. Andrews.

Former PGA Tour star, Scott Dunlap, now aged 49, will be among five Americans teeing up next Tuesday.