He was only denied an initial victory in a sudden death play-off in the Spanish Open but aims to fill the missing gap on his CV at Penina on Sunday.

“That’s the one thing that’s missing, putting four rounds together,” said the 30-year-old Dubliner.

“I’ve been up with the leaders after two or three rounds this year (he finished ninth in Dubai) but fallen away on Sunday.

“I have been guilty of chasing it too much but I have the lead now and I just need to keep on going forward rather than watching anyone else.

“I’ve got some experience from last year and winning on the Challenge Tour in 2002 so we’ll see how it goes.”

Lawrie recently became the first player to sign up with the management group set up by Nick Faldo, after passing an “audition” with the six-time major winner.

“Nick’s people approached my brother first and then I sat down and had a meeting with them and then with Nick in Melbourne,” added Lawrie, whose opening 66 at Penina put him one ahead of a seven-strong group of players on five under.

“I then played eight holes with Nick and after a few phone conversations it was a done deal.

“I think Nick’s aim is to sign four or five players initially. His big thing is to try and get a deal with a major corporate sponsor and nurture it and build up a relationship, rather than chopping and changing every year.

“He wants to use the same sponsors for as many years as possible.”

Fifteen players were within two shots of Lawrie’s slender lead after the first day, including Sweden’s Christopher Hanell, who won the Madeira Island Open on Sunday and carried on where he left off with a 67.

Former Ryder Cup player Jarmo Sandelin was also five under, while Ireland’s Philip Walton, who sank the winning putt at Oak Hill in 1995, was on four under after a 68.