BETHPAGE BLACK CLOUD
COUNTDOWN TO US PGA CHAMPIONSHIP Tiger’s title tilt starts amidst the darkness of wrongful death lawsuit Koepka has Major ambition
TIGER WOODS’ build-up to the US PGA has been overshadowed by a lawsuit against the American superstar and his girlfriend for the wrongful death of a barman at their restaurant.
The 15-time Major winner will tee up tomorrow for the first time since completing one of the greatest comebacks in history with his emotional Masters triumph last month.
And victory at Bethpage Black, where he won the 2002 US Open, would see him return to world No.1.
But the feelgood factor of his fairytale return to the top was interrupted yesterday by another off-course controversy.
Nicholas Immesberger, 24, died behind the wheel on December 10 after allegedly drinking at The Woods Jupiter restaurant and bar in Florida for three hours after his shift.
Woods’ girlfriend Erica Herman is the manager of the restaurant and the lawsuit claims they had both been NEIL McLEMAN IN NEW YORK drinking with Immesberger a few nights before the crash.
His family are now suing Woods, Herman and the restaurant, claiming they “fuelled” his death by over-serving him alcohol even though they knew he had a drink problem.
Asked about the case before the second Major of the season, Tiger said: “We’re all very sad that Nick passed away. It was a terrible night, a terrible ending, and we feel bad for him and his entire family.”
Family lawyer Spencer Kuvin pointed out Florida law holds businesses responsible for over-serving someone addicted to alcohol.
He said: “This is a tragedy because someone who had a problem was not taken care of. Instead The Woods (restaurant), Tiger and Erica chose to fuel that addiction. They fuelled his addiction with more alcohol instead of help.
“Tiger and his girlfriend chose to ignore this problem their own employee had and as a result this tragedy ensued.”
The case is in contrast to the praise Woods has garnered over the last month, including receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom at the White House last week from Donald Trump. The 43-year-old has not played since Augusta but claims he is “rested and ready” for “a hell of a championship” on Long Island.
Heavy rain and cool weather promise to make the second Major of the year a slog at Bethpage Black.
But favourite Woods hopes to benefit from a 31-day break after going Major to Major without another tournament for only the seventh time. He said: “I wanted to play at Quail Hollow (the Wells Fargo Championship) but wasn’t ready yet to start the grind of practising and preparing and logging all those hours again. “I was feeling good in the gym but I wasn’t mentally prepared to log in the hours.
“Coming here is a different story. I was able to log in the hours, put in the time and feel rested and ready. The body doesn’t respond like it used to, bounce back quite as well, so I have to be aware of that.”
Since his latest return from injury Woods has won the Tour Championship and the Masters as well as finishing second behind Brooks Koepka at last year’s US PGA.
Asked if he can dominate golf like earlier in his career he said: “I’m not looking at it like that. I’m just looking at trying to give myself the best chance to win. Whether I’m dominant or not, that remains to be seen.”
At 7400 yards, Bethpage Black is so tough Woods was the only player under par when he won the 2002 US Open.
Tiger said: “This is not only a big course – this is going to be a long week the way the course is set up. This could be a hell of a championship.” BY DALE RANKIN BROOKS KOEPKA has set himself a target of winning at least 10 Majors.
The defending US PGA champion already has three to his name.
And after winning backto-back US Opens last year Koepka, 29, is looking to repeat a winning feat at Bethpage this week.
The American, a joint runner-up to Tiger Woods at last month’s Masters, said: “I don’t see why you can’t get to double digits.
“You keep doing what you’re supposed to do, you play good, you peak at the right times.
“Sometimes the Majors are the easiest to win. Half the people shoot themselves out of it and mentally I know I can beat most of them. From there it’s who is going to play good and who can win.”
In his last 10 Major appearances Koepka has finished outside the top 13 just once, with three wins and three other top-fives.
Having been denied at Augusta, Koepka was asked if he was worried about Woods. He added: “What’s the point in fearing anyone? We’re not fighting.”