Cape Town - Tommy Fleetwood will join a star-studded field led by tournament host Justin Rose at the 2018 British Masters at Walton Heath, from October 11-14.

Fleetwood, the reigning Race to Dubai champion, will make his return to the tournament after missing last year's event due to the birth of his first child, Franklin, having finished fourth at The Grove in 2016.

The 27-year-old is enjoying another impressive campaign on the European Tour as he bids to retain his Race to Dubai title.

In January, he defended his Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and last month he recorded his best finish in a Major Championship, finishing runner up to Brooks Koepka in the US Open after a stunning final round 63 at Shinnecock Hills.

Fleetwood will join fellow Englishman Rose, in the field at Walton Heath, with Olympic Champion Rose following in the footsteps of Ian Poulter, Luke Donald and Lee Westwood as tournament host of the British Masters.

The tournament will take place two weeks after The Ryder Cup at Le Golf National in Paris when Fleetwood and Rose will hope to be part of Thomas Bjørn's 12-man European Team which will seek to reclaim the trophy after American success at Hazeltine National two years ago.

"I'm really excited to return to the British Masters," Fleetwood said. "Obviously I couldn't play last year as Frankie was being born, so I'm looking forward to joining Justin as he hosts this year's event. 

"I've enjoyed playing in this event previously and have done pretty well in it. Walton Heath is a wonderful golf course and I think it will be a great venue for the British Masters.

"I've got to know Justin pretty well in recent years and he is a great guy, so obviously I wanted to support him as tournament host too. He has been an incredible ambassador for British golf over the years, as a US Open Champion and an Olympic Champion, so I'm sure we will have a great field and put on a great show for the fans."

Rose, who finished joint-runner up at The Open Championship at Carnoustie, welcomed the confirmation that Fleetwood will join him at Walton Heath.

"I am delighted to announce that Tommy has agreed to play in the British Masters," said Rose.

"He has established himself as one of the world's best golfers and to have the reigning Race to Dubai winner in the field is great for the British fans. Tommy is always a popular figure wherever he goes, but particularly on home soil, and I’m excited he will be playing at Walton Heath in October.

"We're going to have a great field and it is a brilliant golf course for the British Masters. I was there again at the end of June again, and preparations are going well, so I'm really looking forward to it."

Walton Heath has hosted a number of leading events over the years, including the 1981 Ryder Cup, the European Open on five occasions between 1978 and 1991, and the 2011 Senior Open Championship, won by American Russ Cochran.