This year’s Solheim Cup was a tournament of thrilling twists and tantalizing turns. The windy slopes of Finca Cortesin sure have many tales, impressive or unimpressive, to tell. USA golfer Nelly Korda, for one, has found herself on the wrong side of a fairytale ending. Now, one of her comments about leadership came to the spotlight after her yesterday’s loss.

Countless USA fans pinned their hopes on the current world no 4. Coming to Spain with two previous appearances, and plenty of LPGA experience, Korda was expected to carry the US team on her back. And carry she did. Till the second last singles tie where the home-favorite Carlota Ciganda outclassed her.

Nelly Korda had a chance to be the leader of the rookies

In a team of twelve, where half of the members were rookies, Korda, was already a senior that the rookies were looking up to. Even though she is just 25 and only turned pro in 2016.

Her two-time appearance at this grand stage was only matched by Meghan Kang, and bettered by Danielle Kang & Lexi Thompson. But if you factor in Korda’s return to Rolex World Ranking No.1 in July, and her previous performances before the tournament, you can see why the rookies were following her lead.

But Korda was reluctant to accept her overarching influence over the US team. She brushed away the suggestion of being a ‘leader’. Although being a veteran with more experience than half of her team, she insisted that everyone in the team was on equal footing. On Wednesday in the lead-up to the event, she was asked about her role in the team as a senior and a ‘leader’. Korda, interestingly, responded, “I think We’re all equals here.”

However, once the cup began, the eight-time LPGA Tour winner, was probably the most pro-active person on the course. Korda was the one to take the lead in the Friday morning foursomes, helping USA to whitewash Europe. Again, when Captain Stacy Lewis dropped her for rest purposes, she was seen carting up and down the course.

So, it was hardly a surprise when the battle to win the cup boiled down to her and Ciganda’s one–on-one match-up — in a manner of speaking. However, the one-time major winner was outsmarted this time.

The Solheim Cup title was hanging on Korda-Ciganda game

Korda carried the US team on her back the entire weekend. Her clinical drives, inch-perfect approaches, and meticulously calculated putts helped USA retain the head start when they seemed to all but lose the lead to Europe on Saturday.

Read More: Despite Nelly Korda’s Heartbreaking Loss, Sister Jessica Makes a Humbling Confession About Her Counterparts

On Sunday match-up, when she went head-to-head with the home favorite Ciganda, it was her moment to shine. Unfortunately, for her and millions of USA fans resting their hopes on her shoulders, it was the six-time Solheim Cup veteran who finally had her shot at glory.

Korda, still young and passionate, will have her chance to undo the wrongs of history. Till then, it’s heartbreak for the captain who wasn’t.

Watch this story: Nelly Korda and team issues a stern message, creating history with their ‘for the first time’ in 32 years foursome move