Rory McIlroy must improve on US Open form - McGinley

McIlroy is confident going into the Open at St Andrews

World number one Rory McIlroy needs to respond to the challenge posed by US Open winner Jordan Spieth, says former Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley.

McIlroy's lead in the world rankings over Spieth, who also won the Masters in April, is now just 1.72 points.

"Jordan is putting it to Rory and that can only be good for Rory. He has to step up to the plate," said McGinley.

"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."

American Spieth, 21, has narrowed the rankings gap on McIlroy after trailing the Northern Ireland player by 5.30 points at the end of 2014.

McIlroy started Sunday's final round eight off the lead and closed to within two after six birdies in 13 holes, but dropped shots on the 15th and 17th to finish in a tie for ninth, five shots off the pace.

However, given his excellent record at St Andrews and his share of third place in the 2010 US PGA at Whistling Straits, the four-time major winner is full of confidence for this year's remaining two majors.

Jordan Spieth is the youngest player to win the US Open since 1923

"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."