It was on the 13th hole that Sagström and Nanna Koerstz Madsen's match against Ally Ewing and world setter Nelly Korda came into focus.
Korda hit a putt that lay close to the hole.
If a ball partially hangs over the hole, it has ten seconds to possibly fall in - but already after seven seconds, Sagström picked up the ball to donate the putt.
"Disagree with"
She - and many with her - felt that the ball did not hang over the hole and could never fall in. But the referee was of a different opinion.
- I did not follow the rule of letting the ball lie for ten seconds.
But I believe in the integrity and the honesty that is in golf, I would never pick up a ball that has a chance to go in, says Sagström.
- I do not agree with the decision that the ball was on the edge, but I did not follow the ten-second rule.
It sucks right now, because it feels like I betrayed my team.
The match was exactly the same at the event, but after the Swede's alleged violation of the rules, the USA got the lead with a hole.
That grip then held all the way to a 1/0 victory after the team split the last five holes.
Tear eyes
It did not get any better that parts of the multi-headed American audience at the Inverness Club in Toledo, Ohio, hacked Sagström during the closing holes.
- It's tough.
We are on American soil and ... says Sagström before she has to gather so as not to break down in tears.
- I would try to save that (tears) for the locker room ... We give everything out there, fight so hard and it's so sad to lose the match on that decision.
We gave it a good fight and we both played well, this golf course is a best.
Sagström, who started the match phenomenally with two straight birdies, can at least take comfort in the fact that Europe leads by a full 5.5-25 after the first day's game.
Among other things, after Anna Nordqvist won both her matches in pairs with Matilda Castren.