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Rory McIlroy breaks new ground by playing in India this week as he returns to action for the first time since the Ryder Cup.

As the Northern Irishman expands his competitive experience, the European golf circuit enters the closing stage of this year's season-long championship. The world-class golfer is in pole position to secure the season-long title for the fourth consecutive year and seventh occasion in total.

This includes only three more events following the Indian event; the following week's Genesis tournament in South Korea - which concludes the second half of the tour calendar - and then the final two tournaments in the Arabian region.

These particular big money playoff tournaments in the UAE capital and the emirate are reserved for the leading seventy and then leading fifty in the season rankings.

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

Sitting below the seventieth position, at first glance it would appear both require strong performances from their visit to the Indian course to extend their seasons. Yet, in fact, they are guaranteed in advance of their positions in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

This results from a little publicised but practical exception whereby members of the European squad are also considered qualified for next month's closing tournaments.

Fleetwood, who triumphed in the American playoff series with his impressive victory at the season-ending event in Georgia, sits ninety-fourth in the European tour's season-long table. Lowry, who made the putt that secured the Ryder Cup, is one hundred fifty-fifth.

Other European team-mates who can also qualify are Aberg (72nd) and Straka (147th).

This could question the fairness of a play-off system, which by nature is supposed to bring intense competitive jeopardy, but this scenario also illustrates realities faced by the Wentworth-based 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. The tour requires the top players at their biggest events to validate the investment, which runs to millions of dollars.

Fleetwood has experienced one of his most successful campaigns, highlighted by his maiden victory on American soil at the Atlanta course just under eight weeks past.

Fleetwood represents one of European golf's superstars and, honestly, it would be inconceivable to stage the upcoming season climax without him.

Practical considerations trumps competitive integrity, even though the world number five - a local resident - has saved his strongest showings for events that do not qualify on his home tour.

The Englishman has so far played only four DP World Tour events and failed to finish in the leading twenty at any of them; the Middle Eastern event, UK tournament, flagship event or Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

Major championships also contribute on the Race to Dubai and his sixteenth-place finish at the British Open was his only top 20 in the big four tournaments. But on the American-based circuit he achieved seven placements in the top five.

The European star was also Europe's top points scorer at Bethpage last month. It seems absurd for him not to be taking his place alongside the tour's leading stars at the end of the season.

Although in the previous era the PGA and European tours were fierce competitors they are now inextricably linked thanks to the cooperative partnership that underpins DP World Tour prize funds.

While Marco Penge, last week's winner of the Open De Espana, has positioned himself in 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 storyline will be shaped by the scramble for ten spots on the PGA Tour for those who do not already have tour cards in the US. Penge, with three DPWT wins, is assured of what is widely regarded as advancement to the US circuit.

The Clitheroe-based pro, who also secured invitations to the Masters and Open with his Spanish success, is not in the India field but will launch a final push to try to overtake McIlroy at the top of the rankings.

And the English competitor, the man Penge defeated in the Spanish playoff, is one of four other Britons in the midst of the battle for a 2026 PGA card.

Northern golfer Parry and the Bath duo of Smith and Canter also currently occupy spots that would provide a golden ticket for next year.

Certain analysts view this scenario as evidence that the DP World Tour is now essentially a development tour for big brother on the other side of the pond.

However the DP World Tour maintain it is a vital mechanism that supports their schedule, a necessary and attractive feature that maximises playing opportunities for its participants.

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