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The Northern Irish golfer breaks new ground by competing in India this week as he returns to action for the first time since the Ryder Cup.

While the Northern Irishman expands his competitive experience, the DP World Tour begins the final phase of this year's season-long championship. McIlroy is in the leading spot to secure the season-long title for the fourth season running and seventh occasion in total.

There are only three more events after the India Championship; the subsequent week's Genesis tournament in South Korea - which wraps up the 'Back Nine' phase of the tour calendar - and then the final two tournaments in the Middle East.

These particular high-stakes playoff tournaments in Abu Dhabi and the emirate are reserved for the leading seventy and then top 50 in the season rankings.

However for the likes of Fleetwood and Lowry, who are also in this tournament lineup in the subcontinent, there is reduced stress than one would expect.

Comfortably outside the seventieth position, at first glance it would seem both need strong performances from their visit to the Delhi Golf Club to keep alive their campaigns. Yet, actually, they are guaranteed in advance of their places in the UAE and the final event.

This results from a little publicised but practical exception whereby members of the European squad are also considered eligible for next month's season finale events.

The English golfer, who triumphed in the PGA Tour's play-offs with his stirring victory at August's Tour Championship in Georgia, sits 94th in the European tour's season-long table. Lowry, who made the winning stroke that retained the Ryder Cup, is one hundred fifty-fifth.

Other European team-mates who can potentially benefit are Ludvig Aberg (72nd) and Straka (147th).

This might challenge the fairness of a play-off system, which by definition is supposed to bring cut-throat competitive jeopardy, but this scenario also illustrates practical considerations faced by the headquartered European circuit.

The tour is dependent on major sponsors such as the title partner, who are also the title sponsors of this current tournament in the Asian nation. They need the biggest stars at their premier tournaments to validate the investment, which runs to millions of dollars.

The talented golfer has enjoyed one of his most successful seasons, capped by his maiden victory on US territory at the Atlanta course just under two months ago.

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

Practical considerations trumps competitive integrity, even though the top-ranked player - a Dubai resident - has saved his best performances for tournaments that do not count on his home tour.

Fleetwood has to date played only four European tournaments and been unable to place in the top 20 at any tournament; the Middle Eastern event, UK tournament, BMW PGA Championship or Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

The majors also count on the season standings and his sixteenth-place finish at the Open was his sole high finish in the big four tournaments. But on the US tour he enjoyed seven top-five finishes.

The European star was also Europe's top points scorer at Bethpage last month. It would be absurd for him not to be taking his place with the tour's leading stars at the conclusion of the campaign.

Although in the previous era the American and European circuits were fierce competitors they are now closely connected thanks to the cooperative partnership that supports DP World Tour financial rewards.

While the English golfer, recent champion of the Spanish Open, has moved into close pursuit as his nearest challenger at the summit of the season championship, much of the interest for the remaining schedule will have an American bias.

The narrative will be shaped by the scramble for ten spots on the American circuit for those who do not already have tour cards in the United States. The rising star, with three DPWT wins, is assured of what is widely regarded as advancement to the American tour.

The Lancashire golfer, who also secured invites to the Augusta National and British Open with his Madrid victory, is not in the India field but will mount a last effort to try to overtake McIlroy at the top of the rankings.

Meanwhile Dan Brown, the man Penge beat in the Madrid play-off, is one of four other Britons in the midst of the battle for a 2026 PGA card.

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

Some observers view this development as evidence that the European circuit is now nothing more than a feeder for the larger circuit on the other side of the pond.

However the DP World Tour maintain it is a vital mechanism that underpins their schedule, a essential and enticing element that maximises playing opportunities for its participants.

Undoubtedly this is the season period where the practical aspects and compromises of elite golf competition seem at their most evident.