CANTON (AP) — Seven past winners, including defending champion Nathan Kerns, begin to play Tuesday in the opening round of the 107th Ohio Amateur golf championship at Brookside Country Club.

The past three champions will be in the field, a rarity since recent winners have turned pro soon after their victory.

Kerns, a 22-year-old former Marshall player from Ironton, won a year ago in suburban Columbus. Xavier player Korey Ward won in 2011 at NCR Country Club in Dayton, and Michael Bernard, a rising sophomore at Ohio State, was the youngest Ohio Amateur winner ever when he topped the field at Kirtland Country Club in 2010 at the age of 16.

The 72-hole, medal-play event ends Friday.