Monday 22 June 2015 21:06, UK
Paul McGinley believes Rory McIlroy needs to step up his game or risk losing his world No 1 spot to Jordan Spieth, after the 21-year-old claimed his second major title at the US Open.
McIlroy briefly looked set to mount a late title bid during an enthralling final round, missing a birdie putt to move within one of the leaders before dropping back late on to end the week level par.
While the world No 1’s final round 66 was a strong end to a difficult week at Chambers Bay, McGinley warns that his compatriot can’t afford to continue making unsteady starts to the week.
Speaking to Sky Sports 4, the Irishman said: “All the plaudits will go to Jordan Spieth and rightly so, with back-to-back majors and a massive career ahead of him.
“When someone wins their first major like Jordan did at the Masters, you expect added pressure and expectation put on their shoulders, but he just went and won the next one! He’s got something special.
“Rory’s now got to step up to the plate. As commendable as his performance was today and again during the final round of the Masters, the bottom line is he’s had too much ground to make up in both tournaments.
“He’s made the mistake of getting off to slow starts in each of the last two majors and Jordan has gone on to win both of them. He’s putting it up to Rory which can only be a good thing.”
Spieth himself looked in danger of missing out after losing a comfortable three stroke advantage at the penultimate hole, but became only the sixth player in history to win the first two majors of the year when Dustin Johnson three-putted the last.
While a tie for second represents another near-miss in a major for Johnson, his coach, Butch Harmon, backs the world No 7 to bounce back strongly.
“He (Johnson) is playing the best he’s played in his life and is at peace with himself, which is the most important thing.
“I think they (the crowd) got a champion they can be proud of, this guy’s unbelievable and a great kid. Forget the fact Spieth’s a fantastic golfer, but he’s also one of the nicest young men you could meet.
“This defeat (for Johnson) will be heartbreaking, like losing any tournament with a three-putt at the last, but he’s a strong-willed kid and a kid that will come back. I think you’ll see him in with another chance at St Andrews.”
