Tiger Woods ex-girlfriend rekindles legal battle in new development

Erica Herman, the ex girlfriend of Tiger Woods, still is trying to force a state court into hearing her sexual harassment allegations against the golf superstar.

Herman’s attorneys filed a motion in court earlier this week, asking a Florida state judge to reconsider sending the case to arbitration. The motion stated that Judge Elizabeth Metzger overlooked or didn’t consider four issues before ruling in favor of Woods’ request for arbitration.

Benjamin Hodas, Herman’s attorney, wrote in the motion: “the U.S. Supreme Court has consistently held that a party cannot be forced to arbitrate without a finding that she agreed to do so, which means that in this case — with no evidence in the record — arbitration should not be compelled, or, at a minimum, an evidentiary hearing should be held.”

The relationship between Herman and Tiger Woods started in 2014 when she began working at his Florida restaurant. They began dating in 2015 and the two moved in together the following year. He asked her to sign a non-disclosure agreement in 2017. The two’s relationship was very low key. But she traveled with him to major tournaments. And she was with him when Tiger was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in March 2022.

Erica Herman filed first suit against Tiger Woods last October

Last October, Herman filed suit against Woods and contended that he locked her out of their home. She wants $30 million in damages and said that Woods promised she could stay in their home for another five years. Then in March, she filed suit asking a judge to negate the NDA. In later filings, she said Woods threatened her job if she didn’t sign the NDA back in 2017. There has been some question as to whether she signed it, or even remembered, doing so.

Two weeks ago, the judge, in her ruling, wrote: “Herman has not ‘denied’ that her signature is on the NDA. Herman additionally has not ‘denied’ that the clear terms of the NDA require the resolution of her disputes, claims or controversies with Woods via binding, confidential arbitration.”

Meanwhile, it’s not clear when Tiger Woods will play golf again. He pulled out of The Masters in early April and hasn’t competed since the tournament. He wasn’t in the field for last month’s PGA Championship won by Brooks Koepka. And officials with the U.S. Open said Woods won’t be playing their tournament.