Benn Barham is looking forward to competing close to home (Getty)

Ashford golfer Benn Barham says having the European Open staged in Kent should play to his advantage.

Barham, 32, needs a top five finish at the London Golf Club near Brands Hatch if he wants to play in The Open, having missed out on qualification.

He said: "It didn't go to plan but there's still opportunities if I win this week or at Loch Lomond next week so I've still got a bit of hope.

"Hopefully, the local knowledge will stand me in good stead."

He added: "I love the course and it's in fantastic condition. I just think it's about time that a course of this stature finally got a tournament as big as this.

I feel no more under pressure than any other week Benn Barham

"In Kent we don't really get a chance to have a big event like this, apart from when The Open comes to St Georges in Sandwich."

The nearest regular tour event to the county is the PGA Championship at Wentworth in West London.

The 2008 European Open has attracted a strong field, including defending champion Colin Montgomerie, Justin Rose, Sergio Garcia, and Open champion Padraig Harrington.

Barham dismissed suggestions that expectations were greater at the European Open because it is a course he knows well.

"Although this is a massive event for Kent, this is one of the events that makes up a whole season for me so it's important not to build any up or play any down," he said.

"I get this kind of pre-match nerves before a tournament but that's healthy I think.

"I feel no more under pressure than any other week. If anything I need to keep my expectations a bit lower."