Australian Robert Allenby, who blew apart an excellent round by bogeying the final four holes, Fiji's Vijay Singh and South Africa's, Ernie Els, were tied in second place a shot behind Schwartzel.

All that trio had fallen foul of the tricky 18th hole with its expanse of water to the left of the fairway and green and was proving even trickier than usual in gusty winds with just five players making birdie on the hole.

Singh double bogeyed after finding the water with his tee shot and Els bogeyed after driving wide right and then going in the lake with his second stroke.

With no world No.1 Tiger Woods, small crowds, grey skies and mild temperatures it was an unusually low key opening to an event that prides itself on a passionate Latin atmosphere.

But there was an international look to the top of the leader board with Australian John Senden, Italian Francesco Molinari, Britain's Paul Casey and Dane Soren Hansen all two shots behind Schwartzel along with Americans JB Holmes and Dustin Johnson.

Last year's champion Phil Mickelson, who did not practice this week as he was in Houston with his wife who is battling breast cancer, produced a solid one-under 71.

Schwartzel, who won two of the early events of the European Tour - the Africa Open and the Joburg Open this year, coped well with the winds as he took a surprise lead.

The South African started on the back nine and rolled in a superb putt from 43-feet at the 11th but it was his ability to avoid trouble that earned him top spot.

While Else and Singh were frustrated along with Molinari who double bogeyed the 18th, Allenby gave up the most ground.

Four birdies and an eagle on the front nine gave Allenby a flying start but, after birdies on the 10th and 12th, the round fell apart with four consecutive bogeys at the end.

On a day lacking the events usual fiesta atmosphere, some color was provided in the form of Briton Ian Poulter's footwear.

The always-dapper Poulter wore shocking pink shoes as he finished even for the round, tied in 24th position.

Meanwhile in Melbourne, Italy's Giulia Sergas shot a 4-under-par 69 to take a three-stroke lead after Friday's second round of the Women's Australian Open.

Sergas, who plays on both the European and LPGA tours, had a two-round total of 7-under 139 at the par-73 Commonwealth Golf Club.

Two South Koreans were tied for second - Choi He-yong after a 69 Friday and Yang Soo-jin with a 72.

Karrie Webb, who won last week's Australian Ladies Masters, was in a group tied for fourth after a 70, four strokes back.

First-round leader Laura Davies of England, the defending champion, shot 76 and is tied for seventh with Australians Katherine Hull (72) and amateur Alison Whitaker (74).

"I try to establish a little relationship with the golf course, try to talk to each other," Sergas said.

"If you listen well and you don't get caught up in your emotions, then the golf course really talks to you. And when it's a difficult golf course like this one you really have to pay attention." Webb, who shot a closing 61 to win the Australian Masters last week, said she was pleased with her round.

"I was scratchy yesterday, but I managed to pull it back today," Webb said.

"I was 3-over through eight, and I thought that it was only five days ago that I shot 61. It felt a long way away.

"I was a bit sluggish, just trying to play my best for the next couple of rounds. I feel like I'm in a good position going into the weekend." Davies' 3-over round ended her streak of 13 consecutive rounds under par.

"I played rubbish, a scrappy round of golf," Davies said. "Today I missed a few fairways, had a couple of flyers, just didn't play particularly well. But I'm only five behind the lead and two rounds to go, so I'm OK."