Woods trying to stay fresh for PGA postseason

NORTON, Mass. — In the three days between the opening two FedEx Cup playoff events, Tiger Woods took it easy at home with a little driving and putting.

Only one golf club was involved. “Driving the car a lot,” Woods said Thursday, a reference to taking his two kids to after-school activities in Florida.

The PGA Tour’s postseason is supposed to be a sprint — four tournaments in five weeks, from a 125-man field at the start until it’s whittled down to a 30-man field that gets to the FedEx Cup finale at the Tour Championship.

It feels more like a marathon in the middle, especially during a heat wave that has gripped the Northeast, especially for players like Woods, Justin Thomas and those who expect to have four playoff events followed by a sleep-deprived, energy-sapping week in France at the Ryder Cup.

Playing golf at the TPC Boston doesn’t compare with Heartbreak Hill. Even so, keeping up a steady pace can feel like hard work.

“I’ve had a hard time keeping my energy up the last couple of days,” Thomas said. “I’ve hit some balls and I’ve just felt really weak. That’s just from the traveling and playing a lot these past couple months. But that’s what afternoons are for, and that’s what Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday this week is for — to make sure you get rested, so come tomorrow you’re ready to go.”

The Dell Championship starts Friday for the traditional Labor Day finish at the TPC Boston, though this will be the last time for that.

Because the Boston area has shown such strong support for this tournament since it began in 2003, it was not killed off entirely with the shrinking postseason next year. Instead, it will alternate with Liberty National in New Jersey for the opening FedEx Cup event.