Mickelson is working late

NORTON - Every season has its own rhythm, fast or slow, busy or boring. In Phil Mickelson's golf season, spring means a burst of activity and a string of tournaments, and autumn brings a more quiet period, the competition winding down, his family taking back his time. But this year, the PGA Tour is backloaded with the four tournaments of the new FedEx Cup playoffs, all but requiring the top players to attend. Mickelson has had to adjust.

"It is a little bit different," said Mickelson, after playing in yesterday's pro-am at the Deutsche Bank Championship at TPC Boston. "We're playing now with the idea we'll have more time off after the season. Players are trying to fight through and finish as strong as they can."

It's an adjustment for Mickelson to play tournaments this late in the season, when he is usually dealing with school schedules and family outings. His season already has been disrupted by an injury to his left wrist at the end of May.

He said he's healthy now, but he was slowed for three months during the meat of the summer schedule. He won The Players Championship in May, but withdrew from the Memorial the following week, then missed the cut at the US Open and British Open, and fared poorly in a scattershot schedule. Finally, last week he seemed back in form, finishing tied for seventh at the Barclays in Westchester, N.Y.

He displayed that deft short game yesterday while shooting a 2-under-par 69 in the pro-am. He sank a 25-foot putt on No. 2, and chipped in from the surface of the green about 15 feet from the cup on No. 6.

"I loved [the course], I loved the setup: The rough and the fairways are in great shape," said Mickelson, who is playing the Deutsche Bank for the first time. "There are a lot of opportunities for great shotmaking and short-game skills to separate yourself from the field."

In the big tournaments, the rough is long and thick, which makes the penalties the same for everyone, Mickelson said. Every golfer must punch out to escape that kind of rough.

TPC Boston offers something different. The fourth hole is particularly intriguing. It's a 298-yard par 4, and a big hitter has a chance to go for the green and eagle, or at least a certain birdie. But an errant drive is trouble, with bunkers left, right, and in front, and trees behind.

"There are some great chipping areas and areas to make creative shots around the green," said Mickelson. "It's a great test of golf. [My short game] has been coming along and I think it's going to be important."

The groupings follow the FedEx Cup standings, which means that No. 5 Mickelson will play the first two rounds with Tiger Woods (No. 4) and Vijay Singh (No. 6). Steve Stricker, K.J. Choi, and Rory Sabbatini finished 1-2-3 last week at Westchester to take the first three spots in the playoff points rankings.

Two days of Woods and Mickelson knocking sticks leaves no one disappointed, least of all Mickelson.

"It gives you a chance to play two days with the leaders, not just of the tournament, but in the standings," said Mickelson. "It's an added element of excitement. I'm looking forward to it."

Of course, Mickelson wants to play with Tiger; it's the only game in town.

Mickelson twice noted that it is essential not to listen only to the single-note song of tangling with Tiger, even when it's the kind of round that feeds his competitive soul.

"I wouldn't say it's an advantage [to play with Tiger]," he said. "When you're out there, it's easy to get lost in your own world. There's 117 other players you have to be aware of.

"We need to go out and make birdies."

Barbara Matson can be reached at matson@globe.com.