It's been seven years since Tiger Woods has won a golf competition on an unfamiliar course, but the world-famous athlete is hoping to change that this week in Chicago.

Woods is working extra hard on his preparations for the BMW Championships -- thanks to the help of caddie Joe LaCava -- but many people have confidence in Woods thanks to his lifelong history of success in Chicago. Still, the golfer got out on the course early to make sure he's comfortable enough when he tees off in the championship.

"It was a little bit of work," Woods said to reporters. "I normally don't work this hard in a pro-am, but I had to do a little bit of work because I wasn't out here [Tuesday]."

Woods noted that the weather conditions could make a difference in the way things play out, so he made sure to spend time on that as well.  

"That's where I have to rely on Joey a little bit," Woods said. "We were discussing the weather forecast and how it's going to change a little bit, and discussing the different lines and different options. ... We did a little bit of work today, more so than we normally do."

The expectation, says Woods, is that the championship will yield lower scores if the wind stays the way it is now. Otherwise, who knows.

"The scores are going to be low. It'll be interesting to see what happens on Friday, if the weather is supposed to be what it's supposed to be and if we get a different wind and a different temperature to where the ball's not traveling like it is now," Woods said. "It'll be a totally different golf course."

Woods is sitting in second place in the FEC standings after he finished tied for 65th place at the Deutsche Bank Championship.