Tiger Woods meets members of Kabul Golf Club during this year's Dubai Desert Classic as Mark Steinberg (left of photo) looks on.

It what could be deemed as one of the biggest shocks in the world of sports management but Tiger Woods could very well be on the verge of splitting with IMG.

If so, Woods  looks set to join long-time manager Mark Steinberg, and former IMG leading staffer, in a new management arrangement.

According to sources Steinberg has already quit IMG ahead of setting up his own management company.

Steinberg has become one of the most powerful figures in the world of golf acting as IMG’s Senior Vice-President and Global Marketing Director.

But according to an in-house IMG memo, Alastair Johnston will now run the golf division with two co-managers in Guy Kinnings and Robbie Henchman.

Kinnings is a familiar figure in European having managed Colin Montgomerie for many years.  He’s currently IMG’s Senior Vice President of European golf while Henchman is his counterpart looking after the Asian Pacific region.

Steinberg’s contract with IMG is due to for renewal next month but it’s understood negotiations had broken down leaving Steinberg to  set up his own business.

And the smart money’s on Woods being his first client.

Woods turned pro in September 1996 and agreeing IMG’s Hughes Norton to manage his affairs before Steinberg took over in 1999.

And it was Steinberg who ruthlessly turned Woods into the most marketable sports star on the planet.

Woods was quizzed about his relationship with Steinberg yesterday (Tues) at a news conference ahead of the up-coming AT & T National.

“It’s been a great relationship,” said Woods.

“I’ve been with him ever since I turned pro.”

That’s not all together true but if rumours are ripe then the Woods/Steinberg relationship will continue but under the banner of Steinberg’s own management company.