Hennie Otto fired a round of 65 to take a three-shot lead heading into the final day of the South African Open in Ekurhuleni.
Els has nightmare day, including a quadruple bogey nine at 16
Hennie Otto fired a round of 65 to take a three-shot lead heading into the final day of the South African Open in Ekurhuleni.
The South African, whose only European Tour victory came at the 2000 Italian Open, played the last 12 holes at Serengeti in a superb eight under par to move to 14 under for the tournament.
There are four players tied for second, Otto's compatriots Retief Goosen, Thomas Aiken and Garth Mulroy being joined by Swede Magnus Carlsson.
However, overnight leader Stephen O'Hara slipped back to a share of eighth after a 74. Ernie Els fared even worse, eventually signing for a 76.
Slow start
Otto was four behind O'Hara at the start of the day and didn't seem to be getting into contention when he was one over for the first first six holes.
But he started his charge with birdies at the seventh, eighth and 10th before an eagle on the par-five 11th lifted him right up the leaderboard.
Further birdies at the 12th, 15th and 17th followed, meaning the man from Boksburg had come home in just 30 shots.
Goosen looked set to sit alone in second, only to drop shots at the last two holes to settle for a 71 that left him alongside Aiken (68), Mulroy (70) and Carlsson, who managed a 66 for the second successive day.
O'Hara covered the first 14 holes in a sorry five over, but then birdied the final three to give him renewed hope of the top-three finish he needs to secure his Tour card for next season.
The Scot - who has has not won in 222 Tour events - at least needs to finish no worse than fifth to earn a start in next week's Hong Kong Open, the last chance for those those scrambling to earn their playing rights.
Ex-Ryder Cup pair Phillip Price and Oliver Wilson, both of whom find themselves in the card fight, are 31st and 43rd respectively following rounds of 73.
Els, meanwhile, dropped all the way to joint 53rd after a nightmare day that included a quadruple bogey nine on the long 16th.
