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

As the Northern Irishman widens his competitive experience, the European golf circuit begins the final phase of this year's season-long championship. McIlroy is in pole position to claim the season-long title for the fourth consecutive year and seventh occasion in total.

This includes only three additional tournaments following the India Championship; the following 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 the UAE capital and Dubai are reserved for the leading seventy and then top 50 in the season rankings.

But for the likes of Fleetwood and Shane Lowry, who are also in this week's field in India, there is less pressure than one would expect.

Comfortably outside the seventieth position, at initial inspection it would seem both require strong performances from their trip to the Delhi Golf Club to extend their seasons. But, actually, they are guaranteed in advance of their places in the UAE and the final event.

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

Fleetwood, who triumphed in the PGA Tour's play-offs with his stirring win at August's Tour Championship in Georgia, sits 94th in the continental circuit's annual rankings. Lowry, who sank the winning stroke that secured the Ryder Cup, is one hundred fifty-fifth.

Additional squad members who can also qualify are Aberg (seventy-second) and Straka (one hundred forty-seventh).

This could challenge the fairness of a playoff structure, which by nature is intended to bring intense high-stakes drama, but this situation also demonstrates realities faced by the Wentworth-based DP World Tour.

The tour is reliant on major sponsors such as the title partner, who are also the title sponsors of this week's event in India. They need the top players at their premier tournaments to justify the financial commitment, which runs to millions of dollars.

Fleetwood has experienced one of his most successful seasons, highlighted by his first win on American soil at the Atlanta course just under two months ago.

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

Common sense trumps pure competition, even though the top-ranked player - a Dubai 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 finish in the top 20 at any tournament; the Dubai Desert Classic, Scottish Open, flagship event or pro-am competition.

The majors also count on the season standings and his sixteenth-place finish at the Open was his sole high finish in the major events. But on the American-based circuit he achieved seven placements in the top five.

Fleetwood was also the team's highest contributor at the New York course last month. It seems ridiculous for him not to be taking his place alongside the tour's leading stars at the conclusion of the season.

Although in the past the American and European circuits were fierce competitors they are now inextricably linked thanks to the strategic alliance that supports European tour financial rewards.

While Marco Penge, last week's winner of the Spanish Open, has positioned himself in McIlroy's wing mirrors as his nearest challenger at the top of the Race to Dubai, much of the interest for the remaining schedule will have an US focus.

The narrative will be shaped by the competition for ten spots on the PGA Tour for those who do not already have playing rights in the US. Penge, with three DPWT wins, is assured of what is generally considered as advancement to the US circuit.

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

And the English competitor, the man the champion defeated in the Madrid play-off, is one of several British golfers in the midst of the battle for a future US tour card.

Yorkshireman Parry and the West Country pair of Smith and Laurie Canter also currently occupy spots that would yield a valuable opportunity for the coming season.

Some observers see this development as evidence that the DP World Tour is now nothing more than a feeder for big brother on the other side of the pond.

But the organization argue it is a vital mechanism that underpins their tour calendar, a necessary and enticing element that maximises competitive chances for its participants.

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