Woods trying to stay fresh as PGA Tour playoffs start today

NORTON, Mass. (AP) — 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 post-season 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 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.

The Dell Championship starts today for the traditional Labor Day finish at the TPC Boston.

A little more than just advancing to the next FedEx Cup event is at stake this week.

The top 70 in the standings will go to the BMW Championship outside Philadelphia, and for a small number of players, it’s either the last chance or another chance to audition as a potential captain’s pick for the Ryder Cup.

U.S. captain Jim Furyk announces three of his picks on Tuesday, and the fourth pick will be made after the BMW Championship.