Inside Tiger Woods' Relationship With Erica Herman

Tiger Woods is many things — a golf superstar, billionaire, and brand ambassador. As a result, his love life has always received loads of attention — especially since Woods has been linked to several accomplished women, such as Olympic medalist Lindsey Vonn and multi-talented model Tyra Banks. Though he's had his share of romantic relationships over the years, he's only tied the knot once, in 2004 (per CBC), with Swedish model Elin Nordegren, who shares two kids with Woods. The marriage ultimately fell apart after Nordegren discovered Woods' affairs and famously chased him out of their house with a golf club and smashed his car windows (via Mirror).

In 2017, Woods began dating former restaurant manager Erica Herman (per Golf), who's been by his side for the highs and lows ever since. She was there when he won the 2018 Tour Championship, per People. She was also there when Woods underwent emergency surgery after his 2021 single-car accident in Los Angeles, as reported by TMZ. According to a post on Woods' official Twitter page, he "suffered significant orthopedic injuries."

While Woods and Herman tend to keep things private, we've learned some things over the years. Here's an inside look at Tiger Woods' relationship with Erica Herman.

The world caught wind of Tiger Woods' relationship with Erica Herman in 2017. During the Presidents Cup in September of that year, photographers snapped Herman wearing a "player spouse" credential, typically worn by the girlfriend or spouse of the players and captains, as reported by Golf. Getty captured Herman cozying up to Woods on the golf course, hinting that the two may be an item. In October, the two were spotted together again, this time wearing matching Los Angeles Dodgers jerseys at Dodger Stadium for the World Series (per People), fueling those romance rumors. 

When exactly they met gets a little blurry, however. According to The Palm Beach Post, the two knew each other before 2017. Herman started working at Woods' restaurant, The Woods Jupiter, when it opened in 2015. A source told the outlet that the golfer visited the restaurant often and shared what seemed to be a "strictly professional" relationship with Herman. However, a report from Page Six says the two met at Blue Martini in Orlando, where Herman worked as a bartender while she was an undergrad at the University of Central Florida. They weren't officially an item in the eyes of the public until 2017.

Erica Herman was by Tiger Woods' side after he suffered significant injuries to his right leg (per CNBC) following a single-car accident in California in February 2021. He was extracted from his car and had to undergo emergency surgery. TMZ cameras captured Herman visiting Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, where Woods was hospitalized.

A source told Us Weekly that Herman was there throughout his entire recovery process. "[Herman] dropped everything to be with [Woods] the moment she heard what happened," a source told the outlet, adding, "She's been by his bedside, holding his hand and telling him everything's going to be okay. He's a champ and he's got this." 

Woods was feeling the love from his family and fans. In a Twitter post following the accident and surgery, he wrote: "It is hard to explain how touching today was when I turned on the TV and saw all the red shirts. To every golfer and every fan, you are truly helping me get through this tough time." It seems like Woods had plenty of support from everyone, including Herman. 

Erica Herman is Tiger Woods' cheerleader both on and off the course. She was first spotted at the 2017 Presidents Cup (via Golf) cheering Woods on. In 2018, following Woods' Tour Championship win, his first victory in five years (per People), Herman ran up to the pro golfer with a hug and kiss, as seen in a video clip published by the PGA Tour. According to People, Woods was heard saying "love you" to Herman.

She was also there — along with Woods' kids and mom — to celebrate Woods' win at the 2019 Masters Tournament, via The Masters video clip. That same year, Woods and Herman traveled together to Melbourne, Australia for the 2019 Presidents Cup. After Woods' team won, Woods approached the sidelines and hugged Herman, who wrapped her legs around him, as seen in a video clip shared by PGA Tour.

The pair, who often keep their romance private unless cameras capture their public displays of affection on the course, made a rare red carpet appearance during the 2019 Presidents Cup Gala, and even shared a kiss in front of cameras (per Hollywood Life).

Erica Herman started dating Tiger Woods in 2017, and since then, it seems she's earned the love and respect of everyone in the Woods clan. She's got the kids' approvals, according to an inside source, who told People that Woods' children, Charlie and Sam, "like her." Woods' ex-wife, Elin Nordegren, the mother of the golfer's two kids, reportedly approves of Herman, too.

"Elin has a friendly relationship with Erica," the source told the outlet, adding, "Tiger has come a long way and Elin acknowledges that. She is happy that he is dating Erica."

Herman also seems to be in the good graces of Woods' mom, Kultida Punsawad Woods. The two have been spotted at multiple public outings for Woods. When the pro golfer was inducted at the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2022 (per People), Herman and Woods' mom were in the audience with his two kids. His daughter Sam introduced Woods onstage and confirmed her close relationship with her family, including Herman. Per the outlet, Sam spoke about her dad's 2021 car crash and shared that they will always be a unit no matter what, adding, "Through thick and thin, you, Charlie, Erica, [grandmother Kultida Woods] and I will always be a team."

Tiger Woods and Erica Herman took their relationship to the next level when they moved in together. A source told People in 2021 that the two live in Woods' mansion on the exclusive Jupiter Island in Florida. While they keep their home life under wraps, it seems like the two are living in the lap of luxury.

According to The U.S. Sun, the property has two sections — an over 3,000-square-foot home and an over 6,000-square-foot multi-purpose building featuring a gym, wine cellar, and media room. An enclosed walkway connects the two buildings. Per the outlet, the mansion was built in 2010 following Woods' divorce from Swedish model Elin Nordegren. The house is located near the golfer's restaurant, The Woods Jupiter, where Herman was reportedly the manager.

Jupiter isn't far from Herman's childhood home. Woods' Florida-born girlfriend grew up nearby in Boynton Beach, a source told The Palm Beach Post. And according to a 2001 school yearbook, she attended Santaluces Community High School, where she was part of the cheerleading squad, the outlet reported.

Are they, or aren't they? That's the question behind the rumors swirling that Erica Herman and Tiger Woods are engaged. A source told OK! magazine in an article published in March 2022 that the couple is already engaged. 

"He surprised her by popping the question during a physio appointment and even managed to get down on one knee," the source said, adding, "He had the ring ready and everything — word is he spent a fortune on the biggest diamond he could find — and told her he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her..." According to the source, she said yes. 

An insider told the National Enquirer that Woods is ready to tie the knot with Herman and would love to have "an intimate ceremony for friends and family..." According to the source, he plans to have a prenup ready. The couple has yet to confirm whether or not the rumors are true.