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The Northern Irish golfer breaks new ground by playing in the Indian tournament this week as he makes his comeback to competition for the initial occasion since the prestigious team event.

While the golf superstar expands his golfing horizons, the DP World Tour enters the final phase of this year's Race to Dubai. McIlroy is in the leading spot to secure the annual championship for the fourth season running and seventh occasion in total.

There are only three more events after the India Championship; the following week's Genesis tournament in Korean venue - which wraps up the 'Back Nine' phase of the schedule - and then the final two tournaments in the Arabian region.

These particular high-stakes playoff tournaments in Abu Dhabi and the emirate are reserved for the leading seventy and then top 50 in the season rankings.

However for players such as Tommy Fleetwood and Lowry, who are also in this week's field in the subcontinent, there is less pressure than you might imagine.

Comfortably below the seventieth position, at initial inspection it would seem 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 positions in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

This is due to a rarely discussed but practical loophole whereby members of Europe's Ryder Cup team are also deemed eligible for next month's season finale events.

Fleetwood, who triumphed in the PGA Tour's play-offs with his stirring victory at the season-ending event in Atlanta, lies ninety-fourth in the European tour's season-long table. Lowry, who sank the putt that retained the team trophy, is one hundred fifty-fifth.

Other European team-mates who can potentially benefit are Aberg (72nd) and Straka (one hundred forty-seventh).

This might question the fairness of a playoff structure, which by definition is intended to bring intense high-stakes drama, but this situation also illustrates practical considerations faced by the headquartered DP World Tour.

They are reliant on major sponsors such as DP World, 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 investment, which amounts to millions of dollars.

Fleetwood has experienced one of his best seasons, highlighted by his maiden victory on American soil at the Atlanta course just under eight weeks past.

Fleetwood represents one of European golf's superstars and, frankly, it would be inconceivable to host the 2025 season finale without him.

Practical considerations trumps competitive integrity, even though the world number five - a local resident - has saved his strongest showings for tournaments that do not count on his domestic circuit.

Fleetwood has to date played only four DP World Tour events and been unable to finish in the top 20 at any tournament; the Middle Eastern event, UK tournament, BMW PGA Championship or Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

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

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

Although in the previous era the American and European circuits were fierce competitors they are now closely connected thanks to the strategic alliance that underpins European tour prize funds.

As the English golfer, recent champion of the Open De Espana, 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 remaining schedule will have an American bias.

The storyline will be driven by the scramble for ten spots on the American circuit for those who do not already have playing rights in the US. Penge, with three European victories, is assured of what is widely regarded as advancement to the American tour.

The Clitheroe-based pro, who also secured 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 peak of the standings.

And the English competitor, the man the champion defeated in the Spanish playoff, is one of four other Britons in the midst of the battle for a 2026 PGA card.

Yorkshireman John Parry and the Bath duo of Jordan Smith and Laurie Canter also presently hold spots that would provide a valuable opportunity for the coming season.

Certain analysts see this development as evidence that the European circuit is now nothing more than a development tour for the larger circuit on the other side of the pond.

But the DP World Tour maintain it is a vital mechanism that underpins their schedule, a necessary and attractive feature that maximises playing opportunities for its members.

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