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Rory McIlroy ventures into new territory by playing in India this week as he returns to competition for the first time since the Ryder Cup.

While the Northern Irishman expands his golfing horizons, the European golf circuit enters the closing stage of this year's season-long championship. The world-class golfer is in pole position to claim the annual championship for the fourth consecutive year and seventh time overall.

There are only three additional tournaments after the Indian event; the following week's Genesis tournament in Korean venue - which wraps up the 'Back Nine' phase of the schedule - and then the final two tournaments in the Arabian region.

These high-stakes playoff tournaments in Abu Dhabi and Dubai are exclusively available for the leading seventy and then top 50 in the season rankings.

But for the likes of Fleetwood and Lowry, who are also in this week's field in India, there is less pressure than you might imagine.

Sitting below the seventieth position, at initial inspection it would appear both need high finishes from their trip to the Indian course to extend their seasons. But, actually, they are already assured of their places in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

This results from a rarely discussed but practical exception whereby members of Europe's Ryder Cup team are also deemed qualified for the upcoming season finale events.

The English golfer, who triumphed in the American playoff series with his stirring win at the season-ending event in Georgia, sits 94th in the continental circuit's season-long table. The Irish champion, who made the putt that secured the team trophy, is 155th.

Other European team-mates who can also qualify are Aberg (seventy-second) and Sepp Straka (one hundred forty-seventh).

This might question the fairness of a playoff structure, which by definition is intended to bring intense high-stakes drama, but this scenario also illustrates practical considerations faced by the headquartered DP World Tour.

The tour is dependent on big backers such as DP World, who are also the naming sponsors of this week's event in the Asian nation. The tour requires the biggest stars at their biggest events to justify the investment, which amounts to millions of dollars.

The talented golfer has experienced one of his best seasons, capped by his maiden victory on American soil at the Atlanta course just under two months ago.

He is one of European golf's superstars and, honestly, it would be unthinkable to host the upcoming season climax without him.

Practical considerations overrides pure competition, even though the top-ranked player - a Dubai resident - has reserved his strongest showings for tournaments that do not qualify on his domestic circuit.

Fleetwood has to date played only four DP World Tour events and been unable to finish in the leading twenty at any tournament; the Dubai Desert Classic, Scottish Open, BMW PGA Championship or pro-am competition.

The majors also contribute on the season standings and his sixteenth-place finish at the Open was his sole high finish in the major events. However on the US tour he achieved seven top-five finishes.

The European star was also the team's highest contributor at Bethpage last month. It would be ridiculous for him not to be participating alongside the tour's leading stars at the conclusion of the season.

While in the previous era the PGA and European tours were fierce competitors they are now inextricably linked thanks to the cooperative partnership that supports DP World Tour financial rewards.

While Marco Penge, last week's winner of the Spanish Open, has moved into McIlroy's wing mirrors as his closest rival at the summit of the Race to Dubai, much of the interest for the remaining schedule will have an American bias.

The narrative will be shaped by the competition for ten spots on the PGA Tour for those who do not currently possess tour cards in the US. The rising star, with three European victories, is guaranteed of what is widely regarded as advancement to the American tour.

The Clitheroe-based pro, who also guaranteed invitations to the Augusta National and British Open with his Madrid victory, is not in the tournament lineup but will launch a final push to try to overtake McIlroy at the peak of the rankings.

And Dan Brown, the player the champion beat in the Spanish playoff, is one of several British golfers in the midst of the competition for a 2026 PGA card.

Yorkshireman John Parry and the Bath duo of Jordan Smith and Canter also presently hold spots that would yield a valuable opportunity for next year.

Certain analysts view this development as proof that the European circuit is now essentially a feeder for the larger circuit on the other side of the pond.

However the DP World Tour maintain it is a crucial system that underpins their tour calendar, a necessary and attractive feature that optimizes competitive chances for its members.

Certainly this is the time of the year where the realities and compromises of elite golf competition seem at their clearest display.