SARASOTA, Fla. Bruce Fleisher, who last week became only the fifth player to win his Senior PGA Tour debut, is one round away from becoming the first player to win his first two.

Fleisher shot his second straight 67 today to take a three-stroke lead into the final round of the American Express Invitational.

Fleisher's win last week matched Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and George Archer as players to win their first senior event.

"Guys I grew up dreaming about," he said. ``That would be a hell of a note. Me replacing four of the greatest golfers in the world."

Fleisher's five-under-par round at the TPC at Prestancia put him at 10-under-par, three strokes ahead of Tom Wargo and four ahead of Jim Thorpe. Larry Nelson and Dana Quigley are five strokes back.

"I didn't hit the ball all that well today, but I got it on the green and made a few putts," Fleisher said. "Hopefully, it will continue. I got to tell you, this has been such an overwhelming, exhilarating experience. It's just a wonderful feeling."

It has also been inexplicable success for the one-time PGA Tour grinder, who earned his place on the Senior Tour through last year's qualifying school.

In more than 400 PGA Tour starts, he won only once, the 1991 New England Classic. He never finished better than 68th on the money list and in the mid-1980 left the tour to become a Miami club professional.

Now, he is suddenly the hottest player on the Senior Tour.

Still, on a day when cold winds gusted to 30 mph, Fleisher was one of only four golfers in the field to shoot in the 60s. Most of his work was done with the putter as Fleisher dropped birdie putts of 20, 30 and 30 feet. His only bogey of the day came on the 18th after hitting driver through the dogleg and into trouble.

"He's playing really well," said Wargo, who is seeking his first victory since 1995. "He made some birdies coming in when the wind was really howling.

"Today, you just wanted to make a bunch of pars, keep the ball in play and try to be in there when you get to the last nine. If you are behind, a little weather is what you want. It levels off the field a little bit."