Cameron loses out
TRAGEDY ROCKS WOODS
TIGER WOODS’ build-up to the US PGA has been overshadowed by a lawsuit against him and his girlfriend for the wrongful death of a barman at their Florida restaurant.
The 15-time Major champion will tee up tomorrow for the first time since completing one of the greatest comebacks in sporting history with his emotional Masters triumph last month.
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 fairy-tale return to the top was interrupted yesterday by another of the off-course controversies which have dogged his career.
Barman Nicholas Immesberger, 24, died in a car crash on December 10 after allegedly drinking at The Woods Jupiter restaurant and bar for three hours after his shift.
Woods’ girlfriend Erica Herman is the manager of the restaurant. The lawsuit claims Herman and Woods had been drinking with ■ from NEIL McLEMAN in New York
Immesberger a few nights before the fatal crash. His family is suing Woods, Herman and his restaurant company claiming they “fuelled” his death by serving him alcohol even though they knew he had a drink problem.
Asked about the case before the second Major of the season, the world No.6 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. It’s very sad.”
Family lawyer Spencer Kuvin said that Florida law holds businesses responsible for over-serving someone addicted to alcohol.
“This is a tragedy because someone who had a problem was not taken care of,” said Kuvin.
“Instead, The Woods (restaurant), Tiger and Erica chose to fuel that addiction. Just like he ignored his own problem for years, he and his girlfriend chose to ignore this problem their own employee had. As a result, this tragedy ensued.”
Woods, 43, hopes to benefit from a 31-day break after going Major to Major without another tournament for only the seventh time in his career. He has won twice – at the 1999 PGA and 2008 US Open.
He said: “I wanted to play at Quail Hollow (the Wells Fargo Championship), but I wasn’t yet ready to start the grind of logging all those hours again.
“Coming here is different. 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, doesn’t bounce back quite as well. I’ve got to be aware of that.” ■
CAMERON NORRIE’S hopes of cracking the world’s top 40 were ended last night after he was knocked out of the Italian Open in Rome.
The British No.2 , who is ranked 45, was beaten 6-2 6-2 by Borna Coric in less than an hour.
Norrie twice lost the first four games on the bounce, and on the second occasion the Croatian completed a routine victory.