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

While the Northern Irishman widens his competitive experience, the DP World Tour begins the final phase of this year's season-long championship. McIlroy is in pole position to secure the annual championship for the fourth consecutive year and seventh occasion in total.

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

These big money 'play-off' events in the UAE capital and Dubai are exclusively available for the top 70 and then top 50 in the season rankings.

But for the likes of Tommy Fleetwood and Lowry, who are also in this week's field in the subcontinent, there is reduced stress than one would expect.

Comfortably outside the top 70, at initial inspection it would appear both require strong performances from their trip to the Indian course to extend their seasons. Yet, actually, they are guaranteed in advance of their positions in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

This results from a little publicised but pragmatic exception whereby participants of the European squad are also deemed eligible for the upcoming season finale events.

Fleetwood, who triumphed in the PGA Tour's play-offs with his stirring victory at August's Tour Championship in Georgia, lies 94th in the continental circuit's season-long table. The Irish champion, who sank the winning stroke that secured the Ryder Cup, is one hundred fifty-fifth.

Additional European team-mates who can also qualify are Aberg (72nd) and Straka (one hundred forty-seventh).

This could question the fairness of a play-off system, which by nature is supposed to bring intense competitive jeopardy, but this scenario also illustrates realities faced by the headquartered DP World Tour.

The tour is reliant on major sponsors such as DP World, who are also the naming sponsors of this week's event in the Asian nation. They need the top players at their premier tournaments to justify the investment, which amounts to substantial funding.

Fleetwood has enjoyed one of his best campaigns, capped by his maiden victory on American soil at the Atlanta course just under eight weeks past.

Fleetwood represents one of the continent's superstars and, honestly, it would be unthinkable to stage the 2025 season finale without him.

Practical considerations overrides pure competition, even though the world number five - a local resident - has saved his strongest showings for events that do not count on his home tour.

The Englishman has so far played only four European tournaments and been unable to place in the leading twenty at any tournament; the Dubai Desert Classic, UK tournament, flagship event or pro-am competition.

Major championships also contribute on the Race to Dubai 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 achieved seven placements in the top five.

Fleetwood was also the team's highest contributor at Bethpage last month. It would be absurd for him not to be participating alongside the tour's leading stars at the conclusion of the campaign.

While in the past the PGA and European tours were fierce competitors they are now inextricably linked thanks to the cooperative partnership that underpins DP World Tour financial rewards.

As the English golfer, recent champion of the Spanish Open, 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 driven by the scramble for ten spots on the American circuit for those who do not currently possess playing rights in the United States. The rising star, with three European victories, is assured of what is widely regarded as advancement to the American tour.

The Clitheroe-based pro, who also secured invites to the Masters and British Open with his Spanish success, is not in the tournament lineup but will mount a final push to try to overhaul the leader at the top of the standings.

And the English competitor, the player Penge beat in the Madrid play-off, is one of several British golfers in the thick of the battle for a future US tour card.

Northern golfer Parry and the Bath duo of Jordan Smith and Canter also currently occupy positions that would yield a golden ticket for next year.

Certain analysts see this development as evidence that the DP World Tour is now essentially a feeder for the larger circuit on the American continent.

But the DP World Tour argue it is a vital mechanism that supports their schedule, a essential and attractive element that optimizes competitive chances for its members.

Undoubtedly this is the time of the year where the realities and necessary adjustments of elite golf competition seem at their clearest display.