The Aussie favourite built his cult status with a stirring victory at Royal Queensland Golf Club in 2023, donning a chef's hat on the penultimate hole in a nod to the "Let Him Cook" catchphrase which has since spread worldwide.

The 27-year-old, who now counts Justin Bieber and Steph Curry among his friends, is poised for a repeat this weekend after a second-round 66 on Friday got him to eight under, two behind outright leader Kazuma Korobi.

Lee bogeyed the last, just his second dropped shot across 32 holes, as he and junior rival and playing partner Marco Penge (seven under) traded blows on a dramatic Friday which saw three-time champion Cameron Smith card a 75 and miss the cut.

Korobi birdied the final four holes to card an eight-under 63 and sit one shot clear at 10 under from Brett Rankin, Anthony Quayle and Wenyi Ding.

Cam Davis and Marc Leishman will start Saturday at seven under, while Adam Scott is a shot further back and lurking in his attempt for a first title since 2020.

After grinding in a three-under round on Thursday, Lee, a debut winner on the PGA Tour earlier this year, felt he was hitting his straps at the right time.

"Usually when I don't have my best stuff, it's over-par ... and then today was a little bit better and hopefully the weekend can be more solid," he said.

"The support's been unreal; the first two days were really cool.

"Hopefully they come out ... I'm in the right position for it [to happen again]."

Korobi, who made a first-round ace, didn't know he'd shot to the lead until told by reporters.

But after a year grinding on the European tour, the 24-year-old feels confident he can handle the weekend's heat.

 
 
 
 
 
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"I reckon I have more pressure trying to make a cut than trying to win a tournament," he said.

"South Africa last year ... hitting it absolutely everywhere.

"I had to score even on my last seven to make the cut with nothing going my way.

"Putting it crap, hitting it crap, I don't know. I can't chip. I'm hitting driver like 220 metres; still make the cut.

"It's moments like that that allow you to improve as a golfer."