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Rory McIlroy breaks new ground by competing in India this week as he makes his comeback to action for the first time since the prestigious team event.

While the Northern Irishman widens his competitive experience, the European golf circuit enters the final phase 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 occasion in total.

This includes only three more events after the India Championship; the subsequent week's Genesis Championship in South Korea - which concludes the second half of the tour calendar - and then the final two tournaments in the Arabian region.

These high-stakes 'play-off' events in the UAE capital and Dubai are reserved for the top 70 and then leading fifty in the season rankings.

But for players such as Fleetwood and Shane Lowry, who are also in this week's field in the subcontinent, there is reduced stress than you might imagine.

Sitting below the top 70, at initial inspection it would seem both require strong performances from their visit to the Indian course to keep alive their seasons. Yet, in fact, they are already assured of their places in the UAE and Dubai.

This is due to a rarely discussed but practical loophole whereby participants of Europe's Ryder Cup team are also deemed qualified for the upcoming closing tournaments.

Fleetwood, who triumphed in the American playoff series with his stirring victory at August's Tour Championship in Georgia, lies ninety-fourth in the continental circuit's season-long table. The Irish champion, who sank the winning stroke that retained the Ryder Cup, is 155th.

Other European team-mates who can potentially benefit are Ludvig Aberg (72nd) and Straka (one hundred forty-seventh).

This might challenge the fairness of a playoff structure, which by definition is intended to bring cut-throat high-stakes drama, but this situation also demonstrates practical considerations faced by the headquartered European circuit.

They are dependent on big backers such as DP World, who are also the naming sponsors of this current tournament in India. The tour requires the biggest stars at their biggest events to validate the investment, which amounts to substantial funding.

Fleetwood has enjoyed one of his most successful seasons, capped by his maiden victory on US territory at the Atlanta course just under eight weeks past.

He is one of the continent's elite players and, honestly, it would be inconceivable to stage the 2025 season finale without him.

Practical considerations overrides competitive integrity, even though the top-ranked player - a Dubai resident - has saved his strongest showings for events that do not count on his domestic circuit.

Fleetwood has so far played only four DP World Tour events and failed to finish in the top 20 at any tournament; the Middle Eastern event, Scottish Open, BMW PGA Championship or pro-am competition.

Major championships also contribute on the season standings and his share of 16th at the British Open was his sole high finish in the big four tournaments. But on the American-based circuit he enjoyed seven top-five finishes.

The European star was also Europe's top points scorer at Bethpage last month. It seems absurd for him not to be participating alongside the circuit's top performers at the end of the campaign.

Although in the past the American and European circuits were deadly rivals they are now inextricably linked thanks to the cooperative partnership that supports DP World Tour prize funds.

While the English golfer, last week's winner of the Spanish Open, has moved into McIlroy's wing mirrors as his closest rival at the top of the Race to Dubai, much of the attention for the remaining schedule will have an US focus.

The narrative will be driven by the scramble for 10 places on the American circuit 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 'promotion' to the US circuit.

The Clitheroe-based pro, who also guaranteed invitations to the Masters and Open with his Spanish success, is not in the India field but will launch a last effort to try to overtake the leader at the top of the standings.

Meanwhile the English competitor, the player the champion defeated in the Spanish playoff, is one of four other Britons in the thick of the battle for a future US tour card.

Yorkshireman Parry and the Bath duo of Jordan Smith and Laurie Canter also currently occupy spots that would yield a valuable opportunity for the coming season.

Certain analysts view this development as evidence that the DP World Tour is now essentially a feeder for big brother on the American continent.

But the DP World Tour maintain it is a crucial system that supports their schedule, a necessary and enticing element that optimizes playing opportunities for its participants.

Undoubtedly this is the time of the year where the realities and compromises of men's professional golf seem at their clearest display.