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The Northern Irish golfer ventures into new territory by playing in India this week as he makes his comeback to competition for the first time since the Ryder Cup.

As the Northern Irishman expands his competitive experience, the DP World Tour begins the final phase of this year's Race to Dubai. McIlroy is in pole position to claim the annual championship for the fourth consecutive year and seventh time overall.

This includes only three additional tournaments following the Indian event; the following week's Genesis Championship in Korean venue - 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 leading fifty in the season rankings.

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

Comfortably outside the seventieth position, at initial inspection it would appear both need high finishes from their visit to the Indian course to keep alive their seasons. Yet, actually, they are already assured of their positions in the UAE and the final event.

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

The English golfer, who triumphed in the American playoff series with his impressive victory at August's Tour Championship in Atlanta, lies 94th in the continental circuit's season-long table. Lowry, who sank the winning stroke that secured the Ryder Cup, is one hundred fifty-fifth.

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

This could question the integrity of a playoff structure, which by definition is supposed to bring intense high-stakes drama, but this scenario also illustrates realities faced by the Wentworth-based DP World Tour.

They are reliant on major sponsors such as the title partner, who are also the title sponsors of this week's event in the Asian nation. They need the top players at their biggest events to justify the financial commitment, which amounts to substantial funding.

Fleetwood has experienced one of his most successful campaigns, capped by his first win on American soil 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.

Practical considerations overrides competitive integrity, even though the top-ranked player - a local resident - has saved his best performances for tournaments that do not count on his home tour.

The Englishman has so far played only four DP World Tour events and failed to place in the top 20 at any tournament; the Middle Eastern event, UK tournament, BMW PGA Championship or Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

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 major events. However on the American-based circuit he enjoyed seven top-five finishes.

Fleetwood was also Europe's top points scorer at the New York course last month. It seems ridiculous for him not to be taking his place with the tour's leading stars at the end of the campaign.

While in the past the PGA and European tours were fierce competitors they are now inextricably linked thanks to the strategic alliance that supports European tour prize funds.

As Marco Penge, recent champion of the Open De Espana, has positioned himself in close pursuit as his nearest challenger at the summit of the season championship, much of the interest for the rest of the season will have an US focus.

The narrative will be driven by the scramble for 10 places 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 Masters 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 player Penge beat in the Madrid play-off, is one of several British golfers in the thick of the competition for a 2026 PGA card.

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

Some observers see this scenario as proof that the European circuit is now nothing more than a development tour for the larger circuit on the American continent.

However the organization argue it is a crucial system that underpins their tour calendar, a necessary and enticing element that maximises playing opportunities for its members.

Undoubtedly this is the time of the year where the realities and necessary adjustments of men's professional golf seem at their clearest display.