Despite a walking boot and crutches that have kept him off his

Despite a walking boot and crutches that have kept him off his feet for the last 10 days, Tiger Woods said he expects to play in next month’s U.S. Open at Congressional.

Three years ago, Woods went against doctors’ recommendations not to play, then defeated Rocco Mediate in a 19-hole playoff at Torrey Pines.

“A lot better off now,” Woods said Tuesday. “Then, I had no ACL. It was completely ruptured, and my leg was broken, so those are two bad things. I’m a lot better off.”

And as if Woods hasn’t had enough worries with media scandals, injuries and swing-coach changes of late, he may now face the difficult task of having to choose between signing for Steinberg, who has been involved in procuring some of sports biggest sponsorships ever, or sticking with respected IMG, who since it’s inception with Arnold Palmer as it’s first client, has handled the business affairs of many of the world’s greatest sportsmen.

Shortly before Steinberg made it known that he was leaving IMG, Woods was quoted a saying, “I am committed to both.” But that may no longer be possible.

If Steinberg goes out and sets up his own company as is widely expected, Woods will have to make a tough choice and it is the general feeling of those who know him best that he will go with Steinberg, who has taken care of his affairs for 12 years and has good relationships with many of corporate America’s leading business leaders, including those at Nike whose current deal is believed to be in the vicinity of $20m a year.

Golf.com also reported that Steinberg was largely responsible for negotiating a $55m fee for his No 1 client’s first-ever golf course design project.