Tiger Woods: ‘Swing changes show I’m still committed to winning majors’

 ‘I’ve got to suck it up and do it,’ says Woods of changes before US Open
 Woods has not won a major for seven years and is ranked 195th

Tiger Woods said his willingness to reconstruct his golf swing “in front of the world” is proof of a continued determination to win major championships.

Woods is not regarded as a contender at this, the 115th US Open because of his poor form that was highlighted again in his last appearance. Ten days ago, on the Saturday of the Memorial Tournament, he shot 85, his worst round as a professional. He has slipped to 195th in the world rankings.

On Tuesday the 14-times major winner denied his hunger is diminished and directed attention to his swing work with Chris Como, the coach Woods hired at the end of 2014.

“I wouldn’t have made the changes if I wasn’t devoted to the game of golf and winning tournaments,” Woods said. “I want to be out here. I want to play. I want to compete and I want to win. Sometimes you have to make a shift and I did. Short-term suffering for long-term gain.

“I’ve done this before, I’ve made changes in the past and I’ve struggled through it. I’ve come out on the good side. It’s more of a commitment than anything else. I had to make a commitment and I have. Things are starting to come together piece by piece.

“It’s rough going through it. Obviously I’ve got to do it in front of the world, and sometimes it’s tough. I’ve got to suck it up and do it.”

Woods is adamant his expectation when entering majors is the same as when he was at his peak. Seven years have passed since he tasted success in one.

“I think it feels the same. From my very first one to now, it’s the same. I want to win these championships. I love them, I love playing them,” the 39-year-old said. “My first major was the Masters, my first US Open was at Shinnecock Hills and then obviously the British at St Andrews. For me it was a pretty good introduction to major championship golf and I’ve loved it ever since.

“There’s pressure, of course there’s pressure. You’re trying to win the biggest events against the best fields and that’s the fun part.”

Pressed on what he has left to accomplish in golf, Woods added: “More wins. That’s why I am still playing.”