Nate McCoy has shot pretty well this week with his father at his heels.

Nesting birdies on his first four holes Thursday, the Iowa native battled some early morning rain and wind to shoot a 66, good for third behind leader Paul Haley (-10) at the 53rd Annual Porter Cup at Niagara Falls Country Club.

With his father Mike in the next threesome, Nate’s 4-under par round bested his dad’s 69, but the father/son pair said they always enjoy playing at tournaments together.

“It keeps me going,” Mike McCoy said. “It’s a little hard, he’s in the group ahead of me so I’ve been distracted these last two days.

“That's my excuse for my bad play,” he joked.

The elder McCoy sits at 4-over par and likely isn’t in contention, but with his son in the hunt he’s enjoyed watching the action from the next group.

“I was looking ahead and seeing what he’s doing and I knew he was playing nicely the last two days,” Mike said. “He has a lot of confidence right now so it’s really pleasurable watching him play.”

Nate said traveling with his family has made this year's Porter Cup even more enjoyable than his fifth-place finish last year. His fiance, Ashley Costanzo, is even working as his caddy this time around.

“It’s nice to have someone to travel with and my fiance is here so it’s fun having her on the bag,” Nate said. “It’s a good one to take her to because they have the Maid of the Mist and the Jet Boat, and the club’s really great. I told her this was the one to come to.”

Nate said the Porter Cup is his favorite tournament, and he raved about the Town of Lewiston and the local attractions. Ashley hasn’t been let down by the event’s billing, or her fiance’s play thus far.

“It’s fun to just be with him when he’s doing something that he loves,” she said. “I don't have to sit at home and watch the live stats and worry.”

A soccer and softball player growing up, Ashley said she’s started to fall for the links and gets in a few lessons from the family when there’s time between events. Nate said she’s taken to being a caddy quickly, and she’s certainly learned the language of the game.

“We made six birdies today so you can’t have a bad day when you make six birdies,” she said. “I think my job is to keep him centered, keep him focused, keep him happy. We talk about the shot a little bit, other than that I just keep him happy, smile at him from across the putting green.”

Growing up, Nate was “forced” into baseball, but golf was the one thing he always loved. Of course, it helps when dad is eager to teach you the game.

“I think he even had clubs built for me before I was born,” Nate said. “He knew I was going to play.”

Mike McCoy is tied for 65th after 36 holes, but just two years ago finished in a tie for fourth with Nate caddying. Nate’s brought his own clubs the last two years and certainly has looked comfortable with them.

After the hot start, Nate added birdies on No. 11 and No. 17. The Iowa State senior drove into trouble on the ninth, but a tree helped him save for bogey. A squared four on No. 16 was his only other mistake of the day.

His short game carried him early, sinking a nice putt on No. 1 and a “30-to-40 footer” on No. 2 that started his early run.

“I putted really well so once I got on the green I felt like I could make anything,” he said. “It was a good, solid day of golf. I needed to do it to keep on pace.”

As the pairings re-shuffle, the father/son duo will be spread out along the course today. Nate McCoy tees off with the final threesome this afternoon at 12:40 p.m., while his father Mike hits the links at 9 a.m. with last year’s winner, David Chung.

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