Tiger Woods' ex-girlfriend taking legal battle to appeals court

Despite two failed challenges, Tiger Woods’ ex-girlfriend Erica Herman is continuing to fight to have her non-disclosure agreement with the pro golfer nullified. Herman filed an appeal on Friday with the Fourth District Court of Appeal in Florida, according to USA Today.

A circuit court judge in Martin County, Fla., initially ruled that Woods and Herman should settle their dispute in arbitration as called for in a nondisclosure agreement she signed. Attorneys for Tiger Woods had asked for arbitration, while Herman wanted the NDA invalidated so she could pursue the issue in open court.

The relationship between the two started in 2014 when she began working at his Florida restaurant. They became romantically involved in 2015 and she moved in with him the following year. The NDA came along in 2017.

Herman filed her latest suit against Woods in March, several months after his reps locked her out of the house under the ruse that she was going on vacation. She sought to nullify the NDA by trying to use the new Speak Out Act. That’s a clause that protects victims of sexual harassment.

Judge Elizabeth Metzger noted that Herman hasn’t talked about specifics in regard to harassment or assault. The judge said: “Herman has had the opportunity to provide factual specificity for any claim relating to sexual assault or sexual harassment, however, she has not done so. Additionally, at no time has Herman’s counsel requested an opportunity to file” any allegations against Woods concerning harassment or assault.

Although the judge ordered arbitration, the court filings still are very public. Herman contends that she still has five years remaining on a deal to live in Woods’ home. Plus, in a filing last fall, Herman says Tiger Woods owes her $30 million in damages.

Woods misses U.S. Open, won’t make British Open

After missing the U.S. Open at LACC, reports indicate that Woods will also miss the next major — the British Open.

The 2023 British Open is scheduled for July 20-23 at Royal Liverpool Golf Club in Hoylake, England.

A spokesperson for the Royal and Ancient Golf Club confirmed to SI that Woods will not be playing in this year’s tournament.

“We have been advised that he won’t be playing at Hoylake,” Mike Woodcock of the R&A told SI in an email.

Woods underwent ankle surgery in April and is still recovering from the procedure. He has not played since the Masters in April. Woods made the cut at Augusta National but was unable to complete the tournament due to pain.

The 47-year-old has won 15 majors, including the British Open three times. His most recent win in The Open Championship came in 2006. Woods’ most recent win in a major came in 2019 when he won the Masters.

In April, Woods underwent what was deemed to be a “successful” ankle surgery. He has been rehabbing since then. There is currently no timetable on when Woods will be able to return to the course.

On3’s Matt Connolly contributed to this report.