Irish duo Gareth Maybin and Damien McGrane moved right into contention at the Alfred Dunhill Championship in South Africa as an amazing stroke of fortune enabled Spaniard Pablo Martin to take a two-stroke lead into the final day.

Maybin and McGrane are three shots off the pace on 11 under alongside South African Jacques Blaauw, while Charl Schwartzel and pre-tournament favourite Ernie Els are in 12 under.

Five clear at one point, Martin double-bogeyed the 14th and was in danger of dropping more strokes when his approach to the 541-yard last flew over the green.

But it ran over a narrow bridge towards the clubhouse, rebounded off rocks bordering the water, stayed dry and, despite a weak chip back, he saved his par.

The drama gave Martin, 23, whose career went into freefall after he became the European Tour’s first amateur winner two years ago, a three-under-par 69 and 14-under total of 202.

Els was in danger of falling out of contention after mixing four birdies with four bogeys and then a double bogey over an eventful first 11 holes.

But Els — champion in 2005 but better remembered for finishing with an eight when two in front two years ago, birdied five of the last six holes.

He has so far birdied the 18th on all three days, but the final round is the big test for the “Big Easy” — and for Martin, of course.

Maybin made four birdies on his back nine to post a five-under 67, while McGrane signed for a 68 that included five birdies and a bogey.

Shane Lowry could only manage a two-over-par 74 as he moved back to four under, while Michael Hoey is a shot further back after a 71.