Playing her first four-round tournament as a professional, the 19-year-old Davidson stormed into outright second spot with one round to play after carding a six-under 67 on Saturday.

It left her at six-under 213, a single stroke behind world No.20 Lee, who had to contend with the most difficult of the afternoon conditions and eventually signed for a two-over 75.

Australian Hannah Green (71) and 2015 Vic Open champ Marianne Skarpnord from Norway (75) were tied for third at 215.

Lee and Davidson will play together in the final group on Sunday, reprising their clash in the 2014 Australian Amateur final when Lee, then 17, beat a 15-year-old Davidson 6 and 5.

Davidson has made a flying start to life in the professional ranks by successfully negotiating the notoriously tough qualifying school on the Japanese tour to earn full playing rights for 2018.

"I had a really good round today but I really wasn't expecting to be one shot off the lead," said the Queenslander.

"My goal coming into this week was top 20.

"This is my first four-day professional event but I'm not feeling any pressure.

"I'm just going to go out tomorrow, and do my best and have fun."

As a three-time winner on the LPGA Tour, Lee remains the favourite to win a second Vic Open title, having previously saluted as an amateur back in 2014.

Among the group tied for fifth spot at two-under 217 was American Cheyenne Woods.

The niece of Tiger Woods has had a rollercoaster tournament to date with rounds of 68, 80 and 69.

"I would love to get back out tomorrow and shoot another 69, 68," said the 27-year-old Woods.

"I think there is (a low number out there). I didn't even birdie the birdieable par-five and the driveable par-four. I did leave maybe two shots out there.

"My goal today was to get inside the top 10."