CONCORD, Massachusetts (Ticker) -- Bob Gilder, coming off a playoff victory, fired a bogey-free 6-under-par 66 on Friday and holds the first-round lead at the FleetBoston Classic.

Gilder, who posted his third career Senior PGA Tour victory at last week's SBC Senior Open by beating Hale Irwin on the first extra hole, picked up right where he left off. He posted one birdie on the front nine and five over the final nine holes.

"I gained some momentum as the round went on," said Gilder, who has played 29 consecutive holes without a bogey. "I enjoy the courses up here, they are fun to play and old style."

Sixth on the money list with just under $1.1 million, Gilder has a one-shot lead over five golfers, including two-time defending champion Larry Nelson. Joining Nelson at 67 are Jack Spradlin, Wayne Levi, Dave Eichelberger and Tom Jenkins.

Nelson won a season-high five times in 2001 but has yet to break through this year. However, he has been been very successful at the Nashawtuc Country Club, winning here in each of the last two seasons.

Nelson's best finish this season is second at the TD Waterhouse Championship in May.

Two shots off the pace at 4-under 68 are Rodger Davis and Allen Doyle, who celebrated his 54th birthday.

Legendary Arnold Palmer, 72, recorded the day's only eagle and carded a 3-over 75, his lowest round of the year.

Gilder got his round going by rolling home a birdie at No. 6 but really heated up at No. 10, when a 12-foot birdie putt dropped. He followed that with a birdie at No. 11 and highlighted his round with a 30-footer for birdie at No. 14.

Gilder capped his round by taking advantage of the par-5 18th, sticking his approach shot within 3 1/2 feet and converting the birdie opportunity.

"I'm not doing anything really bad right now," Gilder said. "I'm keeping myself in play and out of trouble. I have good vibes."

Nelson looked like he was ready to run away from the pack early, posting four consecutive birdies beginning at No. 3. But he cooled off and managed just two birdies sandwiched around a bogey over the final 12 holes.

"It was nothing great today, but nothing real bad," Nelson said. "I played decent but not good enough. That's the way today went. ... I enjoy this course, nothing tricky. You get rewarded for good shots."

Levi, the 1990 PGA Player of the Year, is in his first season on the elder circuit. He also played a bogey-free round, highlighted by three straight birdies.

"It was a fairly solid round," he said. "I hit enough good shots and chipped in twice. I got something out of (a round) for a change."

Hale Irwin shot a 71 and has posted 22 straight rounds at par or better here. He won this title in 1997 and 1998 and was second in 1995 and 1999.