Eduardo De La Riva holed his approach to the ninth to turn one ahead of Lorenzo Gagli and Lee Slattery during the third round of the Bankia Madrid Masters.
The 29 year old Spaniard, making only his second European Tour appearance of the year, started one behind Englishman Slattery but birdied the first and second to edge in front.
A bogey at the fifth handed the initiative to Italy’s Gagli, who had three birdies and an eagle in his first six holes.
But the 25 year old, with four top-five finishes already this season, bogeyed the difficult ninth.
There had been only three birdies there all day when De La Riva, playing in the final group, saw his approach from 188 yards land on the bank in front of the green and roll into the cup for eagle.
The Barcelona golfer earned a European Tour card via Qualifying School in 2002, but lost it a year later and nine years on is still to finish in the top ten at a European Tour event.
At 13 under he was one ahead of Gagli and Slattery, with Italian Ryder Cup star Francesco Molinari and Australian Brett Rumford on 11 under.
World Number One and defending champion Luke Donald was lurking dangerously on ten under after four birdies in his first 11 holes.
