McGinley: McIlroy needs to respond

Former Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley has urged Rory Mcllroy to show his mettle after the rise of Jordan Spieth as a top contender.
Mcllroy’s status as World No 1 is coming under increasing fire, with a mere 1.72 points now separating the two golfers at the top of the world rankings after Spieth’s US Open victory.
“Jordan is putting it to Rory and that can only be good for Rory. He has to step up to the plate,” McGinley told BBC Sport.
“As well as he played to come fourth in the Masters and ninth at the US Open, he left himself too much to make up.”
McIlroy finished five shots off the pace at Chambers Bay, as Spieth surged to victory after a birdie on the 72nd hole.
With two majors (the Open Championship and the PGA Championship) remaining this year, Mcllroy needs a couple of strong performances to halt Spieth’s march.
“I feel like I have a great chance in the next two majors,” said McIlroy.
“To finish where I did the way I putted shows how good my ball striking has been, so if I can keep that similar and start to roll in a few putts, I can do even better at St Andrews and Whistling Straits.
“I take a lot of positives out of this. The long game is really in good shape. I’ve never hit the ball as good in a major championship for four rounds.
“I was really dialled in all week and confident with that. And if I can just get the putting a little bit better and roll a few more in and get a little bit of confidence with that going, I see nothing but positive signs for the next few months.”
Latest
-
News
Rory McIlroy’s strong finish makes it two wins from two in WGC-Dell Match Play
McIlroy made it two wins out of two in sensational style.
-
News
Jon Rahm stays in WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play hunt as Shane Lowry exits
The former US Open champion bounced back to beat Keith Mitchell.
-
News
Jon Rahm claims convincing victory on day two of WGC-Dell Match Play
The Spaniard has won three strokeplay events on the PGA Tour this season.
-
PGA Tour
Rory McIlroy has ‘one eye on Augusta’ as big names suffer defeats in Austin
McIlroy had led from start to finish to beat Scott Stallings 3&1.
-
PGA Tour
Matt Fitzpatrick suffers heavy defeat in WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play opener
Fitzpatrick is the top seed in group 11 at Austin Country Club.
-
PGA Tour
Rory McIlroy backs ‘unpopular’ shorter ball proposal with majors on his mind
The Northern Irishman said he could choose to play it in PGA Tour tournaments even if not adopted on the US circuit.
-
PGA Tour
Scottie Sheffler ‘loves’ match play format ahead of title defence in Austin
The top seed takes on Tom Kim, Alex Noren and Davis Riley in group one this week.
-
PGA Tour
Sam Burns hoping to return to form as he bids for Valspar Championship hat-trick
Burns has posted just one top-10 finish so far this season
-
PGA Tour
Matthew Baldwin secures maiden DP World Tour title at SDC Championship
Scotland’s Ewen Ferguson finished in a five-way tie for third.
-
PGA Tour
Taylor Moore claims first PGA Tour title after anxious wait in Florida
Moore carded a closing 67 at Innisbrook Resort’s Copperhead Course.