Grace Rho and Jazy Roberts may be rivals for the Bowra and O’Dea Women’s Classic title this week, but it will be their friendship driving them towards success.

Rho enters Monday’s three-day tournament as the reigning champion and coming off a win at her home Queensland amateurs tournament on Friday.

Meanwhile, Roberts is Australia’s leading woman in the World Amateur Golf Rankings, setting up a fierce contest at Mount Lawley Golf Course.

But neither has even considered the result, just keen to reunite in Perth.

“I think it’s always fun to have a friend and play together, it just makes golf a lot more entertaining rather than being a lot more serious,” Rho told The West Australian.

“It’s a friendly rivalry. We actually do talk a lot on the course and just kind of play chill golf. I don’t really think about the outcome a lot, I just try and have fun out on course, and it usually helps having a friend playing as well.”

The pair have spent time travelling and playing together overseas this year, with Roberts keen to resume their friendly rivalry on course.

“We did a little bit of travel together overseas, but I think it’s always pretty friendly competition,” she told The West Australian.

“We’re very supportive of each other but very competitive as well. We’re really just focused on ourselves. I haven’t really spoken to her much.”

Roberts says she spent most of her time overseas learning how to approach unfamiliar courses and continue adapting her game to conditions, which will hold her in good stead, given she’s not played Mount Lawley before.

“I think being able to play tournaments against some of the best in the world, it’s easier to come back and play at home,” she said.

“Just being able to play tournament golf and playing under pressure is what I need, really.

“All the courses I played overseas in the UK and America were all new to me, so I’ve learnt how to adapt pretty quickly, which I think I’ll have to do for the tournament.

“I’m really excited. I haven’t played that course, but all of the other courses I’ve played in Perth have been really nice, and I’m really looking forward to it.

“I always like getting to play tournaments on new courses, and it’s a lot more challenging.”

The 20-year-old Yarra Yarra GC member has already tasted success in Perth this year, winning the Women’s Australian Amateur Championship at The Western Australian Golf Club in February.

Roberts followed that up with victory at The Riversdale Cup and the English Women’s Stroke Play Championship before finishing third while representing Australia at the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific.

With big achievements come big expectations; however, Roberts said she was only worried about achieving her own goals.

“I think it’s more my own expectation of myself, I don’t have to worry about anyone else or what they’re thinking, so I’ll just do what I have to do for myself and see how I go,” she said.

The pair warmed up for the competition with a low-key round on Sunday alongside tournament sponsors but the atmosphere is sure to get tense when the golfers tee off.