AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Georgia Department of Transportation has announced road closure restrictions during gold week.

The agency says construction-related lane closures on interstates and major state routes leading to Augusta will be restricted from April 2 to April 14.

Lane closure on I-20 form Covington to Augusta and I-520 will be suspended. Additionally, all Georgia DOT projects in Columbia, Richmond, Burke, Emanuel, Jefferson, Jenkins, and McDuffie Counties will be affected.

The department will also send HERO units and additional CHAMP units to the area for traffic-related incidents.

Drivers can call 511 to request the help of HERO or CHAMP units.

Georgia DOT has important reminders for travelers:

• While lane closures are suspended, construction crews may still be active near highways, and some long-term lane closures could remain in place for safety reasons. 
• Emergency or incident-related lane closures may still occur at any time, as needed. 
• Stay alert, follow road signs, and exercise extra caution, particularly near work zones. 

Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.

Rory McIlroy is leaving nothing to chance at the next edition of the Masters Tournament. As proof, he has made not one, but two recent visits to Augusta National Golf Club to scout the legendary course.

The X account @radaratlas2, which tracks aircraft movements around the world, reported on Monday that McIlroy’s private 2022 Gulfstream G650ER, registration N1989R, is in Augusta, Georgia. In other words, the Northern Irishman is on another exploratory trip.

It is the 4-time Major champion’s second visit to the site of the season’s first Major in less than a week. McIlroy also made a stop at Augusta National on his way to the Houston Open on March 25.

The 28-time PGA Tour winner has openly stated that one of his goals for the remainder of his professional career is to win the Masters Tournament. There is no doubt that he is doing everything he can to shorten the wait.

“Winning the Masters, winning an Olympic medal and another away Ryder Cup, they are my three goals for the rest of my career,” McIlroy told BBC Sport last January.

“I’ve been agonisingly close for the past few years, without being able to get it done and that is the main focus of this year,” he added.

The Northern Irishman is having another exceptional season, with two victories in just five PGA Tour events. His victories have come in very strong events such as the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and The PLAYERS Championship.

In addition to his wins, he has three other top-20 finishes, including a tie for fifth at the Houston Open, his start right before the Masters Tournament.

Should he win the Masters, McIlroy would become only the sixth player in history to complete a career Grand Slam (seventh, including the special case of Bobby Jones).

McIlroy is one of only three active players to miss just one of the four legs of the coveted feat. He is joined by Jordan Spieth, who missed the PGA Championship, and Phil Mickelson, who has failed to win the U.S. Open.

The 35-year-old has been close to the Green Jacket on several occasions, but has not been able to pull it off. His runner-up finish in 2022 stands out, although some of his late collapses are famous, such as in 2011 when he led after 54 holes but shot an 80 on Sunday to finish T15.

More Golf: Rory McIlroy Reveals What Needs to be ‘Figured Out’ Ahead of the Masters

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Augusta has a new mane attraction. A couple of people on horseback caused a buzz in downtown Augusta over the weekend.

One of them tried to trot into Stillwater Taproom – horse and all.

Whether you think it’s funny or concerning, it’s got people all stirred up.

After a long week, this is one of those stories you just have to see to believe, and this cowboy wasn’t horsing around on his venture for a weekend cocktail.

Cameras caught him trading his feet for hooves just after 10:30 p.m. on Broad Street.

Bar drinkers stand in disbelief, saddled with many questions, as the cowboy continues trying to open the door.

After getting a hard neigh from the bar manager, he trots off.

Bystanders say the cowboy passed several police officers and continued trying to get in other places and was successful before the night ended.

All of this is happening just days before the end of March, because no one would believe it on April 1st.

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