Tom Wargo and Dick Lotz each shot 5-under-par 67s today to share the first-round lead in the Senior PGA Foremost Insurance Championship.

Wargo, a three-time winner on the Senior PGA Tour, had five birdies in the opening round while Lotz, playing in his third senior event of the year, had six birdies and a bogey.

They lead four players, including the tour's leading money winner, Bruce Fleisher, by one stroke and four other players, including defending champion George Archer, by two.

Twenty-five players broke par in Friday's opening round, which was played in windy conditions.

"The course is playing long," Wargo said. "This is not an easy golf course, but by looking at the scores, it's not a hard golf course either. I enjoy the wind because I think it is a great equalizer in a golf tournament."

The tournament, formerly known as the First of America Classic, is being played through Sunday at Egypt Valley Country Club.

Three of Wargo's birdies came on the first six holes.

"The first green was the only one I missed all day and after the third hole I drove the ball well," Wargo said. "My irons made it a solid round."

Lotz's 67 was his best round of the year on the senior tour. Lotz, the 1970 Kemper Open champion, played this year in the NFL Golf Classic and the BellSouth Senior Classic.

"Mostly, I putted well today," Lotz said. "I only had three putts outside of 15 feet and I made some nice putts for birdies. I like this golf course, but I haven't played it particularly well in the past."

Fleisher's 4-under 68 featured five birdies and a bogey.

"The conditions were difficult," said Fleisher, who has won five times this season. "I'm glad this is over and now I will try to regroup and go get them (Saturday). My putter made me look good today."

AP