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Rory McIlroy ventures into new territory by competing in the Indian tournament this week as he returns to competition for the initial occasion since the Ryder Cup.

As the golf superstar widens his golfing horizons, the DP World Tour begins the closing stage of this year's season-long championship. McIlroy is in pole position to secure the season-long title for the fourth consecutive year and seventh occasion in total.

There are only three more events after the Indian event; the subsequent week's Genesis Championship in South Korea - which concludes the second half of the tour calendar - and then the last two competitions in the Arabian region.

These particular big money playoff tournaments in Abu Dhabi and the emirate are exclusively available for the leading seventy and then top 50 in the season rankings.

But for players such as Fleetwood and Shane Lowry, who are also in this tournament lineup in India, there is less pressure than one would expect.

Sitting below the seventieth position, at initial inspection it would appear both need strong performances from their visit to the Indian course to extend their seasons. Yet, in fact, they are guaranteed in advance of their places in the UAE and Dubai.

This is due to a rarely discussed but pragmatic exception whereby participants of the European squad are also deemed eligible for next month's closing tournaments.

The English golfer, who triumphed in the American playoff series with his stirring victory at August's Tour Championship in Georgia, sits ninety-fourth in the European tour's season-long table. Lowry, who made the putt that secured the Ryder Cup, is 155th.

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

This might challenge the integrity of a playoff structure, which by definition is intended to bring cut-throat competitive jeopardy, but this scenario also illustrates practical considerations faced by the Wentworth-based European circuit.

They are reliant on big backers such as the title partner, who are also the naming sponsors of this week's event in the Asian nation. The tour requires the top players at their biggest events to validate the investment, which runs to substantial funding.

Fleetwood has experienced one of his best seasons, highlighted by his first win on American soil at East Lake just under two months ago.

He is one of European golf's superstars and, honestly, it would be inconceivable to host the 2025 season finale without him.

Common sense overrides pure competition, even though the top-ranked player - a local resident - has saved his strongest showings for events that do not qualify on his home tour.

Fleetwood has so far played only four DP World Tour events and failed to place in the leading twenty at any tournament; the Middle Eastern event, UK tournament, flagship event or pro-am competition.

Major championships also count on the Race to Dubai and his sixteenth-place finish at the Open was his sole high finish in the big four tournaments. However on the American-based circuit he enjoyed seven top-five finishes.

The European star was also the team's highest contributor at the New York course last month. It seems ridiculous for him not to be participating alongside the circuit's top performers at the end of the season.

While in the past the American and European circuits were fierce competitors they are now closely connected thanks to the cooperative partnership that underpins DP World Tour financial rewards.

While the English golfer, last week's winner of the Open De Espana, has positioned himself in McIlroy's wing mirrors as his nearest challenger at the top of the season championship, much of the interest for the rest of the season will have an US focus.

The storyline will be shaped by the scramble for 10 places on the PGA Tour for those who do not currently possess tour cards in the US. Penge, with three European victories, is guaranteed of what is widely regarded as advancement to the American tour.

The Lancashire golfer, who also secured invites to the Masters and Open with his Madrid victory, is not in the India field but will mount a final push to try to overhaul McIlroy at the peak of the rankings.

Meanwhile Dan Brown, the man Penge beat in the Spanish playoff, is one of four other Britons in the thick of the battle for a future US tour card.

Northern golfer Parry and the West Country pair of Smith and Canter also currently occupy spots that would provide a golden ticket for the coming season.

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

However the DP World Tour argue it is a crucial system that underpins their schedule, a necessary and attractive element that maximises playing opportunities for its participants.

Undoubtedly this is the season period where the practical aspects and compromises of men's professional golf seem at their clearest display.