As the old adage goes, "it's always darkest before the dawn." In Tiger Woods' case, it's been dark since 2008.

2015 U.S. Open Preview, Odds and Tee Times

The former world No. 1 has been chasing his illustrious 15th Major championship since a playoff victory over Rocco Mediate at the U.S. Open, and is coming off his worst round and 72-hole performance as a pro. Woods shot an 85 and finished 14 over par, enough for last at the 2015 Memorial tournament. That, however, is not enough to deter him.

Woods believes the changes to his game will benefit him in the long run.

David Leadbetter to Tiger: 'Figure it Out Yourself'

"Sometimes you have to make a shift, and I did," Woods said Tuesday following a nine-hole practice round at Chambers Bay (via ESPN). "Short-term suffering for long-term gain. I've done this before. When I've made changes in the past, I've struggled through it. I've come out on the good side."

"I had to make those. It's more of a commitment than anything else," he added. "I had to make a commitment and I have. And things are starting to come together piece by piece. All the big change is already in and now it's just refining it and actually now playing more golf, playing more tournament golf."

Woods will have that opportunity, teeing off at Chambers Bay on Thursday.

"I want to be out here. I want to play. I want to compete, and I want to win. And to me it's so much fun having a chance to win on the back nine on Sunday."