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The Northern Irish golfer breaks new ground by competing in the Indian tournament this week as he returns to competition for the first time since the prestigious team event.

While the Northern Irishman widens his golfing horizons, the European golf circuit enters the final phase 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.

There are only three additional tournaments following the Indian event; the following week's Genesis tournament in South Korea - which concludes the second half of the schedule - and then the last two competitions in the Arabian region.

These particular big money playoff tournaments in the UAE capital and Dubai are exclusively available for the leading seventy and then top 50 in the season rankings.

However 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.

Comfortably outside the seventieth position, at initial inspection it would appear both require high finishes from their trip to the Indian course to extend their seasons. But, actually, they are guaranteed in advance of their places in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

This is due to a rarely discussed but pragmatic loophole whereby members of Europe's Ryder Cup team are also considered qualified for the upcoming closing tournaments.

Fleetwood, who won the PGA Tour's play-offs with his stirring victory at the season-ending event in Georgia, lies 94th in the continental circuit's annual rankings. The Irish champion, who sank the putt that secured the Ryder Cup, is 155th.

Additional squad members who can also qualify are Ludvig Aberg (72nd) and Straka (one hundred forty-seventh).

This might question the integrity of a play-off system, which by definition is supposed to bring intense competitive jeopardy, but this situation also illustrates practical considerations faced by the Wentworth-based European circuit.

They are dependent on big backers such as DP World, who are also the title sponsors of this current tournament in the Asian nation. The tour requires the top players at their biggest events to validate the financial commitment, which runs to substantial funding.

Fleetwood has enjoyed one of his best campaigns, capped by his first win on US territory at East Lake just under two months ago.

He is one of European golf's elite players and, frankly, it would be inconceivable to host the upcoming season climax without him.

Practical considerations trumps pure competition, even though the world number five - a Dubai resident - has reserved his best performances for events that do not qualify on his domestic circuit.

Fleetwood has so far played only four European tournaments and been unable to place in the leading twenty at any of them; the Middle Eastern event, UK tournament, BMW PGA Championship or pro-am competition.

The majors also contribute on the season standings and his share of 16th at the British Open was his only top 20 in the big four tournaments. But on the US tour he enjoyed seven top-five finishes.

The European star was also the team's highest contributor at the New York course last month. It would be absurd for him not to be taking his place alongside the tour's leading stars at the end of the season.

Although in the past the PGA and European tours were fierce competitors they are now closely connected thanks to the strategic alliance that supports DP World Tour prize funds.

While Marco Penge, recent champion of the Spanish Open, has moved into McIlroy's wing mirrors as his closest rival at the summit of the Race to Dubai, much of the attention for the remaining schedule will have an American bias.

The narrative will be driven by the competition for ten spots on the American circuit for those who do not currently possess tour cards 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 Open with his Madrid victory, is not in the tournament lineup but will launch a final push to try to overtake the leader at the top of the rankings.

And the English competitor, the man Penge defeated in the Madrid play-off, is one of several British golfers in the midst of the battle for a 2026 PGA card.

Northern golfer Parry and the Bath duo of Smith and Canter also presently hold positions that would provide a golden ticket 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 American continent.

But the organization maintain it is a vital mechanism that underpins their tour calendar, a essential and enticing feature 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 most evident.