VALE DO LOBO, Portugal, April 1 (UPI) -- Peter Lawrie recorded a 6-under 66 Thursday to lead seven players by one shot after one round of the Algarve Open de Portugal.
Andrew Raitt was among those tied for second, but the $139,000 first prize would not even "touch the surface" of his financial problems.
The Englishman has faced a huge expense because of legal action against the owner of the dog which bit off part of his little finger in 1995.
Raitt was walking his dog at his home club of St George's Hill in Weybridge when it was attacked by an Alsatian.
When he tried to separate the dogs, the Alsatian bit the tip of his left little finger, leaving it shorter and lacking in sensation.
Raitt was awarded just $4,900 in December 2002 -- less than he had been offered out of court -- and after an unsuccessful appeal last year has been left with a legal bill approaching $400,000.
Raitt is here this week only because of the late withdrawal of Jamie Donaldson with a back injury.
