Italy’s Nobilio in lead with sizzling start at worlds

Italy ’s Alessia Nobilio fired a 6-under 66 Tuesday under misty skies at Camelot Golf and Country Club to take the first-round lead in the World Junior Girls Championship.

Seventeen-year-old Nobilio, currently No. 22 in the world amateur golf rankings, took advantage of the windless conditions and was bogey free with six birdies. She led the charge for Italy, which registered an aggregate score of 139 to sit one back of first-round co-leaders Thailand and the United States.

“The greens were really fast here (at Camelot), really challenging,” said Nobilio. “I’m feeling happy, really good about my round, I played a solid game. I’m just going to play my game and do my best.”

In the team competition, the U.S., propelled by solid outings from Brooke Seay (4 under) and Zoe Campos (2 under), was tied for the lead at 6 under with Thailand.

“The girls stayed calm when they got in trouble and they all played well,” said U.S. team captain Delia Nava. “Eighteen is a very tough finishing hole, it’s very tricky.”

Canada 1, featuring Celeste Dao of Notre-Dame-de-l’Île-Perrot, Que., Ellie Szeryk of London, Ont., and Tiffany Kong from Vancouver share sixth place with Sweden at 2 over. Emily Zhu (Richmond Hill), Sarah Beqaj (Toronto) and Lauren Kim (Surrey, B.C.), who make up Canada 2, are in 18th place at 15 over.

Team Canada is looking for its first medal since capturing bronze at the first world junior girls event in 2014.