Jeev Milkha Singh, struggling to find his form and rhythm, opened with a sedate one-under 71, as did his fellow Indian Gaganjeet Bhullar (71), to be tie for 18th place at the end of the first round of the Open de Espana.
Jeev had four birdies against three bogeys, while Bhullar, who is playing his rookie year on European Tour, also had two birdies and one bogey.
England's Eddie Pepperell was the sole leader on a tightly packed leaderboard with a round of 68.
Pepperell carded an opening four under par 68 at PGA Catalunya Resort to finish a shot ahead of a group of eight players, including pre-tournament favourite Sergio Garcia and fellow Spaniards Miguel Angel Jimenez and Rafael Cabrera-Bello.
Pepperell finished 76th on The Race to Dubai in his rookie campaign last year, but so far this season has made just three halfway cuts in 10 events, with a best finish of joint 45th in Abu Dhabi in January.
Garcia had enjoyed the calmer morning conditions as he set about justifying his billing as pre-tournament favourite with an opening 69.
Fresh from his third place in the Players Championship at Sawgrass on Sunday, Garcia shrugged off a bad night's sleep as he looks to win his national open for the second time, 12 years after his previous success.
The World number seven carded three birdies, an eagle and two bogeys.
Dutchman Robert-Jan Derksen partly had a hole-in-one on the fifth to thank for his 69 - he holed out with a five iron from 211 yards - while Scotland's Richie Ramsay would have hoped for even better than his 69 after birdies on his first three holes.
