3-champ group marks Women's Open pairings

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FAR HILLS, N.J., June 29 (UPI) -- The last three winners of the U.S. Women's Open, including 2011 titlist Ryo So-yeon, will be in the same group for the first two rounds of the 2012 edition.

Ryo defeated Seo Hee-kyung in a playoff last year to win the U.S. Women's Open. She'll be joined with 2010 champion Paula Creamer and 2009 winner Ji Eun-hee for the first 36 holes of next week's tournament.

They are to start from the 10th tee at 9:06 a.m. EDT Thursday.

Starting at the same time at No. 1 is a group that includes two-time U.S. Women's Amateur winner Danielle Kang, who has since turned professional. In her group are Natalie Gulbis and Lee-Anne Pace.

Four of the Top Five-ranked players in the world have Thursday afternoon starts. That includes World No. 1 Yani Tseng, who has won five major tournaments but never the U.S. Women's Open. She's grouped with Choi Na-yeon and Suzann Pettersen, who are fourth and fifth in the world.

The 2012 U.S. Women's Open is being played at Blackwolf Run in Kohler, Wis.