The nickname for Arnold Palmer's group of followers got its start in Augusta, where Palmer won the Masters Tournament four times from 1958 to 1964. Laura's Legion hopes a breakthrough win for Diaz this week could provide the same boost it did for Palmer more than four decades ago.

''Maybe the groundswell will get it to there one day, especially if she gets that first win,'' said Jim Diaz, Laura's father-in-law. ''But I think the bigger part is for her to be aware the support is there day in and day out whether she plays well or whether she doesn't play well.''

About 50 people, mostly from the Savannah Lakes Village, were out in force at Mount Vintage Plantation Golf Club on Saturday to follow Diaz, who shot a 69 and stands at 8-under-par through two rounds. She trails leader Kris Tschetter by two shots entering today's final round.

The group following Diaz wore white T-shirts with ''Laura's Legion'' in blue letters and a red Ron Philo School of Golf logo on both sides. There was one holdout, however - Laura's dad, Ron Philo.

''I don't like to wear T-shirts,'' he said, wearing a cap with the words ''Laura's Legion'' on the back.

Jim Diaz, father-in-law to Laura Diaz, shows his support by wearing his 'Laura's Legion' T-shirt during tournament play. A crowd of about 50 people followed Diaz during her second round of play. Laura's Legion MICHAEL HOLAHAN/STAFF

Laura's Legion was born out of ''Philo's Phanatics,'' the nickname given to her fans by her dad during her first three years on the LPGA Tour. But that would eventually change.

Laura Philo met Kevin Diaz a few years ago, when Diaz was hired at the Ron Philo School of Golf in Amelia Island, Fla., as part-time office help. Diaz eventually became the lead instructor at the school and even ran it when Ron Philo was out of town at one of the remote teaching schools in New York and Vermont.

Diaz and Laura Philo began dating. The two were married last November.

When the two were united, the Philo's Phanatics moniker became extinct. So Ron Philo tried to figure out a new name for Laura's fans. And then it all came together with Laura's Legion.

''Heather Bowie named it,'' said Philo, who decided to make a few T-shirts for family and friends. ''I just approved it. We don't let Laura get involved with stuff like that.''

Also last November, Jim and Dee Diaz moved from Texas to the McCormick, S.C., retirement community. Both are avid golfers, and they made friends fast. Soon those friends began making phone calls and e-mails, charting Laura's progress.

Then a few weeks ago, the Diazes decided to order some Laura's Legion T-shirts. They sent an e-mail throughout the Savannah Lakes community asking whether anyone wanted one of the $10 shirts. The response was overwhelming as the couple sold 60 shirts.

''To say we expected this would've been more than a long shot,'' Jim Diaz said. ''We've only been there since November. So obviously, we met a lot of people in a hurry. It's been quite a surprise that the following has gotten this large.''

The following has been scattered on the course throughout the week. But Saturday, the group swelled as Philo made his first Mount Vintage appearance along with a few more friends. Even Dee Diaz, who's battling Parkinson's disease, was able to follow Laura throughout the day with the assistance of a golf cart.

''We're so new to Savannah Lakes that we're thrilled she's getting so much attention,'' Dee Diaz said.

Gallery faces have become strange to Laura and Kevin Diaz. They admit they know maybe 10 to 15 people in Laura's Legion.

''This Laura's Legion has been a little different,'' said Kevin Diaz, who is substituting for Laura's regular caddie this week. ''In years past, the only Laura's Legion shirts have been on specific family members. The Laura's Legion shirts now include family members as well as a bunch of people who live around the same neighborhood as my parents.

''It was a little interesting at first seeing some faces we didn't recognize wearing Laura's Legions shirts. But it's been fantastic just to know that even folks we don't necessarily know their name yet are out there supporting us.''

Laura Diaz was thankful to have the large gallery following her.

''I think it's great to have that support group out there,'' she said. ''I think it's great just to have the enlarged crowd. It's great to hear them roar for me or anyone.''

Philo and the Diazes admit the T-shirts are becoming more and more popular. There's even talk among Philo, Kevin and Laura Diaz about possibly marketing the shirts and giving the proceeds to Parkinson's research.

''If it ends up we make money off this, then that's where it's going to go,'' Kevin said. ''We've just always done this for friends and family. We've never thought to make any money with it.''

Reach Chris Gay at (706) 868-1222 or cag112@hotmail.com