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The Northern Irish golfer ventures into new territory by playing in the Indian tournament this week as he returns to competition for the first time since the Ryder Cup.

While the golf superstar expands his competitive experience, the European golf circuit enters the closing stage of this year's Race to Dubai. McIlroy is in the leading spot to claim the annual championship for the fourth season running and seventh occasion in total.

This includes only three more events after the India Championship; the following week's Genesis Championship in South Korea - which wraps up the second half of the schedule - and then the final two tournaments in the Arabian region.

These high-stakes playoff tournaments in the UAE capital and the emirate are exclusively available for the top 70 and then top 50 in the standings.

However for players such as Fleetwood and Lowry, who are also in this week's field in the subcontinent, there is reduced stress than one would expect.

Sitting below the top 70, at first glance it would appear both need high finishes from their trip to the Delhi Golf Club to keep alive their seasons. But, in fact, they are guaranteed in advance of their places in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

This results from a rarely discussed but practical loophole whereby participants of Europe's Ryder Cup team are also considered qualified for the upcoming closing tournaments.

Fleetwood, who won the American playoff series with his stirring victory at August's Tour Championship in Georgia, lies 94th in the continental circuit's season-long table. Lowry, who sank the winning stroke that retained the team trophy, is one hundred fifty-fifth.

Additional squad members who can potentially benefit are Aberg (seventy-second) and Sepp Straka (147th).

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

The tour is reliant on major sponsors such as DP World, who are also the title sponsors of this current tournament in the Asian nation. They need the top players at their biggest events to validate the investment, which runs to substantial funding.

Fleetwood has enjoyed one of his best seasons, capped by his first win on American soil at East Lake just under eight weeks past.

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

Practical considerations overrides pure competition, even though the top-ranked player - a local resident - has saved his best performances for tournaments that do not count on his domestic circuit.

The Englishman has to date played only four DP World Tour events and failed to finish in the leading twenty at any tournament; the Dubai Desert Classic, Scottish Open, BMW PGA Championship or pro-am competition.

The majors also contribute on the Race to Dubai and his share of 16th at the British Open was his only top 20 in the major events. 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 taking his place with the circuit's top performers at the end of the campaign.

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

As Marco Penge, last week's winner of the Spanish Open, has moved into 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 American bias.

The storyline will be shaped by the competition for 10 places on the American circuit for those who do not already have 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 Clitheroe-based pro, who also guaranteed invitations to the Masters and Open with his Spanish success, is not in the India field but will mount a last effort to try to overtake the leader at the top of the standings.

And the English competitor, the man the champion defeated in the Spanish playoff, is one of several British golfers in the midst of the competition for a future US tour card.

Northern golfer John Parry and the Bath duo of Smith and Canter also currently occupy spots that would yield a valuable opportunity for next year.

Some observers view this scenario as proof that the DP World Tour is now nothing more than a development tour for the larger circuit on the other side of the pond.

But the organization argue it is a crucial system that supports their schedule, a necessary and enticing element that optimizes playing opportunities for its participants.

Certainly this is the season period where the realities and necessary adjustments of elite golf competition seem at their clearest display.