CHAMPIONS TOUR Fleisher feels right in Massachusetts

Bruce Fleisher owns a one-stroke lead over Tom Purtzer.
CONCORD, Mass. (AP) -- Bruce Fleisher makes the most of his trips to Massachusetts.
Fleisher tied a tournament record with a 7-under 64 in the first round of the Champions Tour's FleetBoston Classic on Friday.
He held a one-stroke lead over Tom Purtzer at Nashawtuc Country Club, another of the courses in the state where Fleisher has had so much success.
His only PGA Tour victory came in 1991 at the nearby New England Classic. He won the 2001 U.S. Senior Open at the Salem Country Club.
"This was very, very unexpected," Fleisher said of the 64 in rainy conditions, the eighth 7-under round in tournament history. "I haven't done much in the last couple weeks. I'm not sure what it is here in Massachusetts."
Bogey-free
Fleisher didn't have a bogey in the first round, which was delayed by rain for 50 minutes. He hasn't finished better than 10th in his last five tournaments and he tied for 43rd in the U.S. Senior Open in June.
"I think I'm going to buy property here," Fleisher joked. "I should because I pay enough taxes in Massachusetts."
Purtzer, who won his first Champions event earlier this year at the SBC Classic, closed his round with a birdie as did Fleisher.
"The rain really softened up the course," Purtzer said. "The fairways got a lot bigger and the greens accepted the shots a lot better. I'm a real fan of the course. It's a neat course."
James Mason, Jay Sigel, David Eger, Dick Mast and former minor league hockey player John Harris tied for third with 67s. Nine golfers, including defending champion Bob Gilder, were at 68.
Gilder was the first wire-to-wire winner in the history of the event when he won with a 13-under 203.
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Fleisher has 16 Champions Tour victories, including the Verizon Classic in February. He also finished tied for 12th at the FleetBoston Classic last year and was second in 2001, one shot behind Larry Nelson.
"I played well today, but who knows what the next couple of days will hold for me?" Fleisher said. "This is a good course for me because you don't have to overpower it here. It's a very playable course for my type of game and I felt comfortable out there."
Bruce Lietzke, who leads the Champions Tour in earnings and has two tour victories this year, finished with a 2-over 73.
Arnold Palmer had an 82 and was last in the 81-man field.