Luke Donald secured an early advantage over Rhys Davies during the early exchanges in the final round of the Madrid Masters.
Tied for the lead when they teed off in the final pairing, both birdied the short second, but it was advantage Donald on the 582 yard next when he two-putted for birdie and the Welshman tangled with thick rough and was relieved to get out of the hole with his par.
Earlier José Manuel Lara equalled the course record with an eight under 64 to finish the week nine under par.
Davies, who had birdied two of the last three holes of his third round to get back on terms, levelled again with a six footer on the fourth.
But Donald, having missed from four feet there, hit his next approach even closer and went one ahead once more.
The dog-leg sixth was driveable and there had already been eagles from Scot Stephen Gallacher and Australian Brett Rumford - Gallacher turned in 31 and was up to fifth - but Donald found the trees, duffed a chip and bogeyed.
It made him and Davies 18 under, with Francesco Molinari only two behind after his birdie on the same hole.
