Reigning Major champions grouped together at 2009 US Open

Tiger Woods, Padraig Harrington and Angel Cabrera will play the first two rounds together at the 2009 US Open as the reigning Major champions.

Woods, who famously triumphed at Torrey Pines 12 months ago, will tee up alongside reigning Open and US PGA champion Harrington, and US Masters winner Cabrera.

World number one Woods claimed the 2002 title at Bethpage Black, and heads back to New York in excellent form after his stunning Memorial victory. Not since Curtis Strange in 1989 has a player won consecutive US Opens.

Conversely, Ireland’s Harrington is struggling to recapture the form that saw him win back-to-back Majors in 2008.

Elsewhere, Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy features in an exciting group with another of the game’s great young prospects Anthony Kim.   

US Open officials decided against grouping the top three players in the world ranking, as they did last year at San Diego.

Phil Mickelson, who only recently decided to play in the US Open after his wife was diagnosed with breast cancer, will be with South Africa duo Ernie Els and Retief Goosen as he chases his maiden US Open triumph following four runners-up finishes.

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