But even if he doesn’t manage to overcome Smith, who at one stage on Saturday looked like running away with the Kirkwood Cup, Lee can go a long way towards earning a return invitation to Augusta National for the Masters in April this weekend.

The 24-year-old’s caddie, Stuart Davidson, confirmed to Golf Australia magazine that they had done the calculations and Lee needs a top-three finish and a win over the next two weeks at the PGA and Australian Open to creep inside the top-50 on the world rankings by year’s end, with Lee currently ranked No.61.

If he was to fail to deliver those required results, Lee, who sits at seven-under after a third round 68, four shots back of leader Smith on 11-under, he would have the option of teeing it up on the DP World Tour at the Alfred Dunhill Championship in South Africa the week after the Open and the following week at the Mauritius Open.

However, after a year traversing the globe playing on both the formerly European Tour, in majors and via invitations on the PGA Tour, it is extremely unlikely according to his management due to Lee’s exhaustion and plans for some down time at home in WA.

The first step will be reigning in Smith, who signed for a two-under round of 69 after reaching the par-5 9th at 13-under for the day, with China’s Yan Wei Liu and Japan's Mashahiro Kawamura in joint second on eight under, Lee sharing fourth.

“It'd be amazing (to go up against Cam), that's why we play golf, he's a top golfer for a reason and I’m striving to be that,” Lee told reporters after the third round.

Lee was out a full hour before Smith, and although still playing the latter part of his back nine in a ferocious wind that blew oversized umbrellas across the putting green and pot plants at score return over, only made one bogey on the day after making the turn in four-under. Lee hoping for more of the same tomorrow.

In contrast, Smith dropped three shots in four holes starting at the 9th after a pushed drive as the breeze picked up.

“It was blowing 15, 16, 17 about an hour of the last nine,” Lee said of the wind. “Especially that last hole, Hendy hit a nice shot and it went straight over the back so I had to go club down."

Smith's approach to the last doing the same as Scott Hend.

“If it's like that tomorrow it's going to be a fun day. If the wind blows like that, it doesn't matter how good you are, it's going to be tough and putting is another thing," added Lee.

Lee’s major mission and hopes to lift a trophy as a pro for the first time at home are just some of the exciting storylines on offer at Royal Queensland, signalling the return of big event golf to Australia. Something Lee fondly remembers from his youth that he wants to play a significant role in inspiring the next generation.

“Help out the kids and inspire them. I was once that kid, only a little time ago.”