Twice-Masters champion Olazabal, 40 in February, showed a top class field, including Spanish compatriots Sergio Garcia and Miguel Angel Jimenez, a clean pair of heels on the Pula course which he is currently revamping.
Jimenez's compatriot Sergio Garcia made a burst up the leaderboard on the front nine when he brilliantly chipped in for eagle at the fifth and followed up with birdies at the sixth and ninth.