Emma Talley will have plenty of support when she tees off on day three of the 2021 ISPS HANDA World Invitational presented by Modest! Golf Management - although one of her fans will be assisting her closest rival.
The American carded a 65 at Massereene Golf Club to go with her opening 67 at Galgorm Castle to lead by three at 13 under after two rounds in Northern Ireland.
She will head out in round three alongside countrywoman Jennifer Kupcho and South Korean Chella Choi, and she have a very familiar face with her on the first tee in the shape of boyfriend Patrick, who caddies for Kupcho.
"That's only happened a couple of times," she said of being paired with a player who has Patrick on the bag.
"So I'm actually super excited and I always play well when Patrick is around. Even though he may be trying to beat me the next few days, it'll be kind of nice to at least tomorrow to be paired together.
"I love it. It's fun. Patrick, he's not like me. I'm a bit more... y'all know how I am; I'm wild. I like to try to embarrass him and stuff, so he'll be pretty serious out there. But I know I'll probably get a couple of thumbs up and I'll try to bug him a little bit when he's not working.
"I think it's going to be a fun day.
"Let's just say he's probably very happy at what the leaderboard looks like at the moment. I definitely know he's going to try to come beat me but I think it will be a really cool day tomorrow.
I'm actually super excited and I always play well when Patrick is around. Even though he may be trying to beat me the next few days
"I haven't been in this position in a long time and I'm going to have my caddie and my boyfriend all in the same group, which is pretty cool."
Talley will not just be getting plenty of support inside the ropes, however, after making some friends in Ballymena this week.
"I met a few guys during the pro-am and I think I'm going to go try to play with them next week," she said.
"I even gave out my number to Owen, who's 73 years old, and he was so funny. We had a great time and honestly that kind of put me in a better mood after all the rain."
