The world number two admitted he was “stuck in neutral” for most of his four rounds at Royal Birkdale and will head home after finishing one under par

Rory McIlroy will belatedly celebrate his Masters success as he takes a break following a frustrating week at the Open.

The world number two admitted he was “stuck in neutral” for most of his four rounds at Royal Birkdale and will head home after finishing one under par.

McIlroy was impressive off the tee but his approach play was not of similar standard and he could not find his touch on the greens.

Still, having won the Masters for a second time in April, he can reflect on a successful year, even if his performances in the last three majors have been underwhelming.

He said: “I was just sort of stuck in neutral for most of the week. Even par over the weekend is not going to get it done.

“I just felt like any time I got a little bit of momentum out there, I seemed to make a bogey. It was just one of those weeks I couldn’t get it going.

“This season feels very similar to last season. Obviously I won the first major of the year and fell off a little bit after that – but any time you win a major in a year, you have to be pleased about that.

“I haven’t really taken the time to enjoy that or celebrate that. Poppy’s got another four weeks off school until she goes back, so I’m just going to enjoy the summer holidays with her and Erica. That’s what I’m looking forward to the most.”

McIlroy, a six-time major winner, has said previously he feels he can now pick and choose the tournaments more than previously.

Asked if it was true the prospect of competing week-in, week-out on the PGA Tour no longer got his “juices flowing”, the 37-year-old told reporters: “Yes, that’s fair.

“I think it just sort of ebbs and flows. There’s been years where I’ve given it maybe more of my attention and years that I haven’t.

“I guess I’m just at a stage that I have other things that I prioritise. I came to that decision last year and I’m just sort of doing the same thing.”

McIlroy raised eyebrows on Saturday with some pointed comments about the conduct of Bryson DeChambeau after the American was penalised two shots for improving his lie by trampling on long grass close to his ball.

The Northern Irishman admitted he was “not particularly fond of” DeChambeau and accused him of “performative” behaviour as he remonstrated with officials and then hit balls on the range after dark.

McIlroy was cheekily asked if he would welcome the prospect of DeChambeau competing at the Irish Open in September.

He said: “I think that would be great for the tournament, absolutely. Having someone like Bryson at the Irish Open, yes, it would be great for the tournament.”

New York City‘s Times Square was taken over by thousands of jubilant Spain fans on Sunday, who partied through the night after their team’s World Cup final success. 

The iconic Big Apple landmark transformed into a sea of red and yellow – hours after Spain beat Argentina 1-0 in the final – as fans swarmed to Midtown Manhattan.

Thousands of supporters were seen singing, dancing, chanting and waving Spanish flags as they took over Times Square from dusk until the early hours of Monday.

Many of the fans had attended a public watch party in the area, while thousands of others flocked from across the city – and MetLife Stadium itself – to celebrate.

It marked a stark contrast to how Times Square had looked just 24 hours earlier, when a myriad of Argentina fans gathered to start the festivities ahead of the game.

On Sunday, however, only a handful of La Albiceleste fans were left in the area and – those who were there – appeared dejected, deflated and downbeat after their loss.

The iconic New York landmark was taken over by supporters of La Roja after their historic win

Fans were seen singing, dancing and waving Spanish flags as they celebrated the result

New York’s iconic Empire State Building was lit up in red and yellow after Spain’s win

Despite the jubilant scenes, New York police were forced to make several arrests – with a handful of individuals seen being placed in handcuffs by officers.

Details of the arrests have not yet been released by New York police. An NYPD spokesperson told The Daily Mail late Sunday night that the total number of arrests was unknown because the suspects were still being processed. 

As for the crimes, the NYPD spokesperson said the suspects are accused of disorderly conduct. 

In one exclusive photo, a Spain fan wearing a Lamine Yamal jersey is seen being led away by two officers. Another man in a pink t-shirt and matching shorts was also apprehended, as was a shirtless man seen in a video on Instagram.

However, while the party ended early for those fans, other Spain supporters were seen raising replica trophies, blowing horns and crowd surfing in the wake of the country’s second World Cup win. 

Meanwhile, in lower Manhattan, red-clad revelers took over the city’s High Line, which is a park raised on an old rail line 30 feet above the city streets. 

But Sunday’s most hectic scene was Times Square, which had been a beehive of activity throughout the tournament. 

Fans who couldn’t afford four-figure ticket prices had dozens of watch parties to choose from throughout the five boroughs, but no option proved as popular as Times Square’s seemingly endless array of towering electronic billboards.

No option proved as popular as Times Square for Spanish fans to celebrate their triumph

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The streets of Midtown Manhattan were swarmed by thousands of supporters after the win

Despite the jubilant scenes, a number of individuals were arrested by New York police Sunday. Details of the numerous arrests in Times Square were not made immediately clear.

As pictured by The Daily Mail’s John Taggart, several individuals were placed in riot cuffs

New York Police Department officers stand guard as fans gather in Times Square

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Times Square has been a hive of activity throughout the World Cup, despite the fact that local tournament games such as Sunday’s final were actually played at MetLife Stadium

Many visitors from Spain and Argentina did cross the Atlantic for the World Cup, but rather than pack into Times Square, they decided to splurge on tickets.

‘Money comes back,’ Buenos Aires resident Manuel Lopez Maccotta told The Associated Press. ‘This is once in a lifetime. You´re seeing the best player in the world [Lionel Messi] in his last World Cup. Money is worthless compared to this.’

And how much did he pay?

‘Almost 10K in American money,’ said Maccotta, whose friend got off relatively easy with a $5,000 ticket.

‘I bought the ticket before the World Cup final,’ Santiago Burcaco told the AP.

Argentina and Spain fans were comrades in this struggle.

Madrid’s Curro Sanchez spent $8,000 on his ticket, and will now be staying in the city through Thursday.

‘Had a big, big, big fight with my wife,’ Sanchez told the AP. ‘At the end of the day, she understood.’

The Spanish festivities in Times Square began immediately after the final whistle went

Many Team Argentina fans in New York City were left devastated by Sunday’s loss to Spain

A devastated Argentina fan is seen sulking on Sunday in New York’s Times Square 

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Sunday’s World Cup finale was settled in extra time after Spain’s Ferran Torres found the back of the net in 106th minute – after a stalemate in regulation time. 

US President Donald Trump ended up taking center stage at MetLife Stadium as he awkwardly invaded Spain’s iconic trophy lift at the end of the FIFA World Cup final. 

Shortly after the full-time whistle, the US President made his way down to the field, where he was loudly booed by the crowd before making his way onto the stage alongside FIFA chief Gianni Infantino.

Trump and Infantino handed out various awards to match officials and players, before officially welcoming Spain’s players up to the stage to lift the World Cup trophy.

The US President presented the prestigious title to Spain captain Rodri, who took great pleasure in raising it aloft in East Rutherford.

Much like when he presented the Club World Cup title last summer, Trump stood awkwardly alongside the Spain squad as they lifted the trophy and celebrated wildly.

It seemed as though, when Spain were about to perform the trophy lift, Infantino had attempted to usher Trump away from the players – though the President remained. 

He stood to the side of the squad as the confetti cannons went off at MetLife Stadium, clapping and grinning while Infantino laughed off Trump’s awkward cameo.

Donald Trump took center stage as Spain lifted the World Cup trophy on Sunday afternoon

Trump and Infantino stood on stage as golden confetti rained down around them in New Jersey

There were an estimated 1.5-1.8 billion viewers tuning in to watch the summer tournament’s showpiece finale, where Trump and Infantino took center stage once again. 

Loud boos had come from the stands when Infantino and Trump made their way onto the pitch, as fans made their feelings on the duo undoubtedly clear.

Earlier in the day, Trump and his wife Melania were seen taking in the action inside a packed MetLife Stadium suite – alongside FIFA President Infantino, Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney and Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum.

Trump also shook hands with Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez as Infantino stood beside them.

Spain’s Queen Letizia and King Felipe VI also greeted the president. Javier Milei, the president of Argentina, is watching the game from home due to ‘superstition,’ The New York Times reported. 

The commander-in-chief also waved at the crowd from behind the glass. 

Inside the private suite, Infantino posed for pictures with the president’s son, Eric Trump, his wife, Lara, and their children. Barron Trump also showed up for the big game.

Ahead of the match, Trump told Fox News’ Jenny Taft on the FIFA Red Carpet that ‘it’s hard to bet against Messi,’ speaking of Argentina’s 39-year-old star.

However, in the end, it wasn’t to be for the veteran soccer star after he and Argentina came up short in their battle against European outfit Spain in East Rutherford. 

The changes, proposed by the City of York Council, include prohibiting certain vehicle movements at junctions and altering speed limits in specific locations.

At the junction of Grimston Lane and Eastfield Lane in Dunnington, vehicles will no longer be allowed to turn right from Grimston Lane into Eastfield Lane.

Similarly, at the junction of Tea Room Square and Station Road in York, right turns from Tea Room Square into Station Road will be banned.

Church Lane in Dunnington will become a one-way street, allowing only north-west travel from its junction with York Street to its junction with Pear Tree Lane.

Speed limits will also be adjusted under the new proposals.

• For more information about this public notice, click here.
• For more notices affecting YOUR area, visit our Public Notice Portal at publicnoticeportal.uk/york-press

Grimston Lane and Pasture Croft in Dunnington will have a new speed limit of 20mph.

Eastfield Lane in Dunnington will have a new 30mph speed limit between certain points, replacing the current national speed limit.

The same 30mph limit will apply to North Lane in Huntington over a specified stretch.

Monks Cross Lane in Huntington will have a 40mph speed limit between two points, again replacing the national speed limit.

These changes are being made under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, following consultation with the Chief Officer of Police.

Anyone wishing to view the draft orders, reasons for the changes, and relevant maps can do so at the Reception, West Offices, Station Rise, York, during business hours.

Objections or representations must be submitted in writing by August 7, 2026.

Andy Burnham has said his dad, who suffers from Alzheimer’s and is care home bound, is unaware that he’s about to become Prime Minister.

The incoming PM told The Times: “That’s a sadness because he would be [proud].” Burnham’s dad is Kenneth Roy Burnham, a former telephone engineer. He has spoken of Mr Burnham several times in the past, saying in 2024 that he was a feminist who “wouldn’t have called himself that at the time, but he was”.

The critically acclaimed actor is here filming an ITV drama

Top Boy actor Ashley Walters has returned to film in Belfast for an upcoming TV drama.

Walter has been busy lately and has gained significant critical acclaim for his role in the BAFTA-winning TV show Adolescence, in which he plays a police officer.

The former So Solid Crew rapper has an impressive roster of roles under his belt, including Top Boy, created by Northern Irish novelist and screenwriter Ronan Bennett.

In a chat with Belfast Live, the actor reminisced about returning after almost two decades, when he was previously here filming another project in Titanic Studios, saying, “It has been a long time, but I’ve always loved Northern Ireland”.

When asked why he enjoyed filming here, he said: “I think it boils down to kind of the relation between the oppressed around the world, and they have a real kind of, I mean, people here are really great people and nice people, so I’ve always found that.”

Adding that “they are very supportive of people who find themselves being oppressed, you know, around the world, and I see that they connect the dots a lot.”

He went on to say, “So you feel really safe. You feel really welcomed.”

Walters has been here filming for a while, and when asked what he was doing in his spare time. He joked that he didn’t have much of it but that his kids “are obsessed” with the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum in Holywood.

The actor is in Northern Ireland filming for the upcoming ITV drama First Woman, in which he plays a character called Ben.

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here

This comes after the council carried forward a pot of funding into the current financial year.

More than £80,000 is to be used to help South Lanarkshire residents who are struggling to meet their housing costs.

This comes after the council carried forward a pot of funding into the current financial year.

The £81,000 in discretionary housing payment funding was received later than expected in 2025/26 and has now been transferred to reserves to be spent in 2026/27, ensuring the money reaches those who need it most.

Discretionary housing payments are additional payouts made by councils to people who receive Housing Benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit but are still left with a shortfall in their rent.

They act as a financial lifeline for some of the most vulnerable households — including those affected by the bedroom tax, families fleeing domestic abuse, and people at risk of losing their home due to temporary financial crisis.

The transfer was confirmed at South Lanarkshire Council’s recent finance and corporate resources committee, where the council’s head of finance Lorraine O’Hagan presented the year-end revenue budget monitoring report for 2025/26.

She told the committee: “We had two year-end transfers that were approved in relation to discretionary housing payment funding which we can carry forward and spend in the current financial year, and also place-based funding for committed projects, again which will carry forward and be spent in 2026/27.”

The discretionary housing payment transfer formed part of a broader £578,000 underspend recorded by the finance and corporate resources department at the end of 2025/26.

O’Hagan confirmed the overall position was exactly as forecast, saying: “This is in line with our probable outturn position where we had an underspend of £578,000 and this was reported as part of the final position approved by executive committee last week.”

The report and proposed budget transfers were approved by councillors.

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With the World Cup now a thing of the past, full focus is on transfer business and Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham and Manchester United are all stepping up the pursuit of respective targets. The summer tournament was a huge distraction for the window’s major players, but after it was wrapped up, all top clubs are expected to accelerate their dealings. Chelsea stunned the rest of the Premier League by landing a shock deal for Morgan Rogers this week, who will undergo a medical today to complete a £117m transfer from Aston Villa. The player had previously seemed nailed on to join Arsenal, who are now said to be moving for Yan Diomande. Christos Tzolis is due to join up soon, while a move for free agent John Stones also seems to be in the offing.

Switzerland lives up to its postcard image: sparkling lakes, chocolate-box villages and snow-dusted Alpine resorts.

But today, it comes with challenges. Eye-watering prices, overcrowding and an elitist reputation can make it feel out of reach for the ordinary traveller.

Not much can be done to make Switzerland cheaper. Exceptionally high wages and government regulations contribute to the cost of living being most expensive in the world.

But if it’s severe overtourism that’s putting you off, I’ve found a solution.

Go to Vaud, a mountainous district bordered by Lake Geneva to the south and France to the west.

Just remember to swerve Lausanne, the Olympic capital, which can be swarmed in summer.

Famous for its focus on ‘slow tourism’, this storybook canton is a great destination for anyone looking to take things handy and fully immerse in local culture.

And like all things in life, here, the best things are free: swimming in lakes, strolling through markets, and hiking in the mountains.

Morges… Switzerland’s prettiest destination?

My journey began in Morges, an historic town around 40 minutes from Geneva that was founded in 1286.

When I asked my guide, Stefanie, what makes it special, she said it’s because it doesn’t have a headline attraction.

Instead, its appeal lies in its natural beauty, chilled-out atmosphere and the spectacular (genuinely, spectacular) countryside.

Elegant lakeside hotels sit beside independent cafés, and colourful flower displays line the waterfront.

Each spring since 1971, the Tulip Festival transforms the waterfront into a riot of colour with more than 140,000 bulbs planted across the parks and promenades.

The tulips originated from the Himalayas and were only introduced in Europe in the mid-16th century.

Running from April to May, it attracts around 300,000 visitors each year and is one of the largest spring events in the region.

The surrounding villages are just as charming.

Stefanie explains that many have strict regulations on the colours residents can use, to maintain a consistent look.

This is Switzerland we’re talking about, so I’m told these rules are taken very seriously.

Beyond the waterfront in Morges, visitors can stop by Espace 81, a contemporary art gallery hosting a temporary Audrey Hepburn exhibition this summer.

Also worth a visit is the Fondation Jan Michalski in the nearby municipality of Montricher.

Tucked amid rolling hills, it feels like a secret – a place built on the arts,drawing inspiration from Scandinavian authors and designers, and architects from Brazil and Chile.

Its most striking feature is the collection of elevated writer residences that resemble modern treehouses.

But if there’s one place to go above all the rest, it’s Château de Vullierens.

Just outside Morges town, and easily accessible by car or bus, the historic family estate spans more than 100 hectares, including six hectares of vineyards that look like the set of a period drama.

Here, I learned something surprising: Swiss wine is almost never exported.

The country produces 99 million litres per year and consumes the vast majority domestically.

It makes tasting them in the region where they’re produced feel special.

A wine tasting experience typically costs around CHF 92 (£85), so while it’s not the cheapest of activities, it’s worth it if you’re a serious enthusiast.

On the grounds you’ll also have access to themed walks, contemporary sculptures and thousands of flowers.

Nyon

For the second half of the trip, I headed to Nyon, another lakeside town that feels distinctly different from Morges, yet is only 20 minutes by train.

Prices, refreshingly, from as little as £6.50 one-way.

Where Morges is elegant and floral, Nyon is more deeply rooted in its past, founded by the Romans under Julius Caesar between 50 and 44 BC.

One of the first things I noticed was the abundance of natural drinking fountains. They’re everywhere – tucked into squares, lining streets and appearing unexpectedly around corners.

My guide, Heidi, tells me that everyone uses them, and they are all preserved, allowing locals to feel part of ancient history.

The town has a self-guided Tintin tour, celebrating the famous comic character’s connection to the region, and there are other attractions such as the Swiss National Museum of Motorcycles and Musée du Léman – The Lake Geneva Museum.

For a taste of local cuisine, book a table at Chez Mon Oncle, a Nyon institution.

Expect to pay around CHF 95 (£88) for a hearty meal for two, and make sure to order the cheese specialities, like Malakoff, which show off the canton’s indulgent side.

Rested and refuelled, I then set off on part of the famous Toblerone Trail, named for the anti-tank fortifications built during the Second World War whose triangular shape resembles the iconic Swiss chocolate bar.

The 18km hike takes you through some 3,000 triangular tank traps hidden among leafy trees and babbling rivers, between the Jura peaks and Lake Geneva.

My only gripe is that the name is misleading. You won’t find any chocolate on this trail!

If you have time, try your best to make it to Rolle, a charming lakeside town where you can see the Île de la Harpe – the only island on Lake Geneva.

For my final morning in Nyon I browsed the Sunday market, where stalls are filled with local cheeses such as raclette, as well as cured meats, fresh bread, honey, nougat, rotisserie, olives, and fresh vegetables that showcase the region’s agricultural prowess.

Nyon is also home to the Paléo Festival, one of Switzerland’s biggest music events, where locals enjoy free live music, performances and cultural events.

It runs from July 21-26, but you’ll have to plan for 2027; this year’s event is already sold out.

As I spent my final hours relaxing beside Lake Geneva, I reflected that Vaud achieves exactly what it sets out to do.

It hadn’t overwhelmed me with bucket-list attractions or jam-packed itineraries.

Instead, it encouraged me to slow down, look around and appreciate the little things.

Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@metro.co.uk

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A former Royal Marine from Westhoughton is preparing to cycle the length of Route 66 in the United States as he attempts to set two world records while raising money for four charities.

Aaron Moon, 39, will fly to America on July 28 before setting off on July 30, aiming to complete the famous route in a maximum of 22 days.

It comes after a journey that has seen him lose a leg in Afghanistan and survive a blood clot on his lungs and heart last year.

Aaron said: “It’s been a roller coaster as such, because obviously I’ve gone from losing my identity as a Royal Marine Commando and pretty much everything I knew and loved.

Aaron Moon loves his family (Image: Aaron Moon)

“I ended up not really knowing what to do with myself or anything like that.

“And then the next minute, I’m a PGA professional golfer, which is crazy in itself. But then I chose to walk away from professional golf.

“That’s what led me to becoming the world’s first amputee indoor skydiving instructor.

“Every time I’ve come away from something and gone back down, I’ve just found a new purpose to lift myself back up.”

He hopes the challenge will raise money for Team Forces, Wounded Warrior Project, Blesma and Rock2Recovery.

Aaron lost his leg after being injured while serving in Afghanistan in 2009, and said the Route 66 challenge represents his own story of starting again.

Aaron said: “I think it’s mainly the challenge, because obviously with the route, it crosses eight states.

“It’s like ridiculous temperatures. My current business is I travel around talking about mindset and resilience and motivation.

Aaron Moon (Image: Aaron Moon)

“I go inside prisons, talk to convicts about changing their mindset to help reduce reoffending. I go into corporate sports teams, everything like that.

“The whole Route 66 is rebirth.

“The history of it was people upping sticks in the East to chase a new life in the West. So the route kind of personifies me as a person in a way. It kind of works.”

Although he is aiming to break two world records, Aaron said they are not his main motivation.

Aaron added: “I’m not really bothered about the world records.

“They’re just the niceties.

“It’s more about me getting the story out there and helping inspire and show people what you can achieve if you just set your mind to it and you work hard.

“Everybody’s got their Route 66 in life. You just need to get on that bike and cycle past it metaphorically.”