FIRST ROUND LEADERBOARD -6 P Lawrie (Irl) -5 N Colsaerts (Bel), A Raitt (Eng), C Hanell (Swe), G Havret (Fra), G Canizares (Sp), J Sandelin (Swe), S Dodd (Wal) Latest golf results

Jamie Donaldson pulled out of the event on Wednesday with a back injury, prompting organisers to invite Raitt.

And the short preparation time did not affect him as he shot a five-under-par 67 along with six other players.

Peter Lawrie of Ireland leads the field having recorded nine birdies and a single bogey in his 66.

Raiit had secured the last seat on a flight from Gatwick to Faro and arrived at the course at 1930 local time before teeing off at 0810 on Thursday morning.

And he said: "Fortunately I know this course really well,"

The 34-year-old lost his European Tour card last year and that blow followed a court case in which he failed to secure a �1m settlement after a dog bit the top off his left little finger.

Raitt was instead awarded �4,900 in compensation and left with legal bills totalling nearly �400,000.

"It's very hard knowing that even if I win (�140,000) first prize this week it will only touch the surface of my debts," he said.

Scotland's Gary Orr, the winner the last time the tournament was staged here in 2000, carded an opening 70, one better than Ian Woosnam who was round in 71.