Tiger Woods’ relationship history hasn’t been the best. After his marriage ended in a rather public and messy way in 2010, the golfing legend seemed to lose a part of himself on the course as well. He won nothing for two years. The champion went 11 years without a big win. And after he finally got it, the first thing he did was show the world that his love life was back on track, too.

Shortly after winning the green jacket in 2019, he embraced his girlfriend, Erica Herman, and kissed her in front of 10.8 million viewers.

Erica has been Woods’ rock

According to sources close to Woods, such as friend and colleague Arjun Atwal, Herman has been there for Woods every step of the way since 2017. The two first met when Erica was a college bachelor working as a bartender at Blue Martini in Orlando. Woods often dropped in for a drink and the duo kept in touch.

Atwal said athletes often performed at their best when they had their partners’ support. And ever since Herman entered the golf legend’s life, he has had it. He added, “And when Tiger does his best, he usually beats everybody.”

He proceeded to call Erica Woods “main support system” and stated, “She’s been 100 percent supportive when he was down with his health and all that.” Atwal mentioned that the 15-time winner underwent a spinal fusion to ease his pain in 2017, but not many people were around. But Herman left his side. “She was there for him,” he said.

How did Tiger Woods and Erica meet?

Despite being in contact with her for some time, Woods and Herman only became close after she graduated. In 2015, when Woods opened his own restaurant, Herman was appointed director of operations. “She had a close relationship with Tiger,” said Nailor, a server assistant at Woods’ restaurant.

That made people, especially the restaurant staff, wary of Erica. They kept things professional with her. Herman and the golf legend met quite often to discuss business. More often than not it was in Tiger’s private dining suite at the restaurant. “It was separate from the main dining room, with its own frontal access to the building,” Nailor said.

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Their frequent visits were definitely the start of something that Tiger now appreciates. The couple has been together for over 5 years now. Where do you think they are going? Let us know in the comments below.