IndyCar star Scott McLaughlin sent positive messages to the struggling U.S. Ryder Cup team, making his words of encouragement much needed.

The 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, New York, unfolded like a thriller script, with Team USA mounting a valiant comeback only to fall agonizingly short against a resilient European squad. Over the weekend of September 26-28, the biennial golf showdown captivated millions, pitting 12 American stars against their international counterparts in a battle for pride, points, and the coveted trophy. Europe, defending their 2023 victory in Rome, entered as underdogs on foreign soil but quickly asserted dominance, surging to an 11.5-point lead after the first two days of foursomes and fourballs. The U.S., captained by Keegan Bradley and boasting talents like Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele, appeared on the ropes, their home advantage evaporating under a barrage of European birdies and clutch putts. Needing just 3.5 points from the 12 singles matches on Sunday to clinch retention, Europe seemed poised for a wire-to-wire triumph. Yet, the Americans roared back, securing six wins and three halves in the final session—a gritty display that narrowed the gap but ended in a 15-13 defeat. It was a match defined by heartbreak for the Stars and Stripes, leaving fans and players alike searching for solace amid the roar of the New York crowd.

Into this cauldron of tension stepped an unlikely voice of optimism: Scott McLaughlin, the Kiwi-born IndyCar sensation whose high-octane world of oval racing feels worlds away from the manicured fairways of professional golf. McLaughlin, 32, has become a fixture on the American motorsports scene since defecting from Australia’s Supercars series in 2021 to join Team Penske in IndyCar. With three wins already this season, including a podium charge at the Indianapolis 500 despite an early crash, he’s no stranger to adversity. But golf? That’s McLaughlin’s passion project—a self-proclaimed “wannabe pro golfer” who peppers his social media with swing tips and tournament recaps. His enthusiasm for the sport peaked this year when he proudly announced his U.S. citizenship in early September, a milestone that transformed him from neutral observer to fervent patriot. “My first #RyderCup as an American Citizen. LFG USA 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸,” he posted on X (formerly Twitter) on September 24, days before the event kicked off. The declaration drew hundreds of likes and cheers from fans bridging the gap between horsepower and birdies.

As the Ryder Cup drama intensified, McLaughlin’s support grew more urgent. With Europe leading by a daunting margin heading into Sunday—having swept key matches like Rory McIlroy’s pairing with Tommy Fleetwood—Team USA’s spirits visibly flagged. Scheffler, the world No. 1, admitted post-round frustrations, while captain Bradley urged his squad to “leave it all on the course.” It was in this moment of vulnerability that McLaughlin fired off a rallying cry that resonated far beyond the IndyCar paddock. “US can win this!!!!! #RyderCup,” he tweeted at 1:46 p.m. ET on September 28, just hours before the singles teed off. The message, simple yet charged with unbridled energy, quickly amassed thousands of views and sparked a thread of replies from golf enthusiasts and racing diehards alike. One fan responded, “From one adopted American to the team—let’s go!” capturing the cross-sport camaraderie McLaughlin embodies. Later that evening, as the electric atmosphere at Bethpage reached fever pitch with American cheers drowning out the European chants, he followed up: “God this Ryder Cup honestly is electric.” His words weren’t mere sideline chatter; they arrived at a pivot point when morale was as fragile as a 20-foot putt.

McLaughlin’s intervention felt particularly poignant given his own journey of reinvention. Born in Auckland, New Zealand, he dominated Supercars with three straight championships before crossing the Pacific to chase the IndyCar dream. The transition wasn’t seamless—early-season wrecks tested his resolve—but his grit paid off with a breakthrough victory at Alabama in April and a string of top-fives. Off the track, he’s woven himself into the American fabric, settling in Indianapolis with his family and embracing stateside sports culture. Golf, for him, is more than recreation; it’s a bridge to camaraderie. He’s swapped stories with NASCAR peers like Shane van Gisbergen, another antipodean import, and even joked about his “scary” oval battles translating to the greens. In a recent interview, McLaughlin lavished praise on van Gisbergen’s versatility, saying, “He’d be awesome at it… It’d be pretty cool to see him in IndyCar.” That same adaptability shines in his Ryder Cup fandom: a New Zealander by birth, American by choice, offering pep talks to a squad on the brink.

For Team USA, adrift early and outmatched in strategy by Europe’s Luke Donald, McLaughlin’s digital high-fives provided a timely lift. Social media buzzed with crossovers—IndyCar accounts reposting his tweets alongside highlights of Collin Morikawa’s singles birdie streak. Even as Europe sealed the win with Fleetwood’s dramatic concession putt, the American rally—fueled by wins from Schauffele, Wyndham Clark, and Patrick Cantlay—hinted at brighter days for 2027 in Ireland. McLaughlin’s encouragement underscored a larger truth: sports thrive on shared passion, not borders. His posts, viewed over 15,000 times combined, reminded followers that defeat, like a qualifying lap gone awry, is just setup for the next push.

In the aftermath, as players exchanged handshakes under Bethpage’s twilight, McLaughlin’s voice lingered as a symbol of unity. For a U.S. team licking its wounds—its first home loss since 1991—these outsider affirmations mattered. They echoed the event’s spirit: divide to conquer, or unite to endure. As McLaughlin eyes the IndyCar finale at Nashville Superspeedway, one suspects he’ll be tuning into PGA highlights, ever the sports nut ready with a “LFG.” In a year of transitions for both him and American golf, his optimism proved as vital as a late charge down the stretch—much needed, deeply appreciated, and quintessentially Scott.