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The Northern Irish golfer breaks new ground by playing in the Indian tournament this week as he returns to action for the initial occasion since the Ryder Cup.

As the Northern Irishman expands his golfing horizons, the DP World Tour enters the closing stage of this year's season-long championship. McIlroy is in the leading spot to claim the annual championship for the fourth consecutive year and seventh occasion in total.

This includes only three additional tournaments following the Indian event; the subsequent week's Genesis Championship in Korean venue - which wraps up the second half of the tour calendar - and then the final two tournaments in the Middle East.

These big money playoff tournaments in the UAE capital and the emirate are exclusively available for the top 70 and then leading fifty in the standings.

However for players such as Fleetwood and Lowry, who are also in this tournament lineup in the subcontinent, there is less pressure than you might imagine.

Comfortably below the top 70, at initial inspection it would seem both need strong performances from their trip to the Delhi Golf Club to extend their seasons. Yet, in fact, they are guaranteed in advance of their positions in the UAE and the final event.

This is due to a little publicised but practical exception whereby participants of the European squad are also considered eligible for the upcoming closing tournaments.

Fleetwood, who won the American playoff series with his impressive victory at the season-ending event in Atlanta, lies ninety-fourth in the European tour's annual rankings. The Irish champion, who made the putt that secured the Ryder Cup, is one hundred fifty-fifth.

Other squad members who can also qualify are Ludvig Aberg (seventy-second) and Sepp Straka (147th).

This might question the fairness of a playoff structure, which by definition is supposed to bring cut-throat high-stakes drama, but this scenario also demonstrates realities faced by the Wentworth-based European circuit.

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

The talented golfer has enjoyed one of his best seasons, capped by his maiden victory on US territory at East Lake just under two months ago.

Fleetwood represents one of the continent's elite players and, frankly, it would be inconceivable to stage the upcoming season climax without him.

Common sense trumps competitive integrity, even though the top-ranked player - a Dubai resident - has saved his strongest showings for tournaments that do not qualify 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 of them; the Dubai Desert Classic, Scottish Open, flagship event or pro-am competition.

The majors also count on the season standings and his share of 16th at the British Open was his sole high finish in the major events. However on the US tour he achieved seven top-five finishes.

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

While in the previous era the PGA and European tours were deadly rivals they are now inextricably linked thanks to the strategic alliance that underpins DP World Tour prize funds.

While Marco Penge, recent champion of the Spanish Open, has positioned himself in close pursuit as his closest rival 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 10 places on the American circuit for those who do not currently possess tour cards in the United States. The rising star, with three European victories, is assured of what is widely regarded as advancement to the US circuit.

The Lancashire golfer, who also guaranteed invites to the Masters and British Open with his Spanish success, is not in the India field but will launch a final push to try to overtake the leader at the top of the rankings.

Meanwhile Dan Brown, the player the champion defeated in the Madrid play-off, is one of four other Britons in the midst of the competition for a 2026 PGA card.

Northern golfer Parry and the Bath duo of Smith and Laurie Canter also currently occupy spots that would yield a golden ticket for the coming season.

Some observers view this development as proof that the European circuit 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 underpins their schedule, a essential and enticing element that optimizes playing opportunities for its participants.

Certainly this is the season period where the practical aspects and compromises of elite golf competition seem at their clearest display.