Abalos settles for 2nd, 1 shot behind champ

Celine Abalos’ inexperience showed in the back nine of Royal Musselburgh Golf Club in the United Kingdom on Friday, dropping three shots in the last five holes to return a three-over-par 75 and settle for second in the US Kids European Championship, one shot behind Angela Wang of the US.

The 10-year-old Abalos, the lone Philippine entry, blew a four-shot lead with five holes to play and three-putted the 72nd green to allow Wang (76) to successfully defend her crown.

For Abalos, the loss provided valuable lessons after more than holding her own against the likes of Wang, who amassed a 54-hole 220 total.

Abalos rode a sizzling six-hole stretch from No. 5, where all three of her birdies came, only to sputter in the end.