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Rory McIlroy ventures into new territory by playing in the Indian tournament this week as he makes his comeback to action for the initial occasion since the Ryder Cup.

As the Northern Irishman widens his competitive experience, the DP World Tour enters the final phase of this year's season-long championship. The world-class golfer is in the leading spot to claim the annual championship for the fourth season running and seventh occasion in total.

There are only three additional tournaments after the Indian event; the subsequent week's Genesis Championship in South Korea - which wraps up the second half of the tour calendar - and then the last two competitions in the Arabian region.

These big money 'play-off' events in Abu Dhabi and the emirate are reserved for the top 70 and then leading fifty in the standings.

But for the likes of Fleetwood and Shane Lowry, who are also in this tournament lineup in the subcontinent, there is reduced stress than you might imagine.

Comfortably outside the top 70, at initial inspection it would seem both need high finishes from their trip to the Indian course to keep alive their seasons. Yet, actually, they are already assured of their positions in Abu Dhabi and the final event.

This is due to a rarely discussed but practical exception whereby members of the European squad are also considered qualified for next month's closing tournaments.

The English golfer, who won the American playoff series with his impressive win at August's Tour Championship in Atlanta, sits 94th in the European tour's season-long table. The Irish champion, who made the winning stroke that secured the team trophy, is one hundred fifty-fifth.

Additional squad members who can also qualify are Ludvig Aberg (seventy-second) 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 situation also demonstrates realities faced by the Wentworth-based European circuit.

The tour is dependent on major sponsors such as the title partner, who are also the title sponsors of this current tournament in the Asian nation. The tour requires the biggest stars at their biggest events to justify the financial commitment, which runs to millions of dollars.

Fleetwood has enjoyed one of his most successful seasons, capped by his maiden victory on American soil at East Lake just under two months ago.

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 competitive integrity, even though the top-ranked player - a local resident - has reserved his strongest showings for tournaments that do not count on his domestic circuit.

The Englishman has to date played only four European tournaments and failed to place in the leading twenty at any tournament; the Dubai Desert Classic, UK tournament, BMW PGA Championship or pro-am competition.

Major championships also count on the Race to Dubai and his share of 16th at the British Open was his sole high finish in the major events. 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 seems ridiculous for him not to be taking his place with the tour's leading stars at the conclusion of the campaign.

While in the past the American and European circuits were deadly rivals they are now closely connected thanks to the cooperative partnership that underpins European tour financial rewards.

As Marco Penge, recent champion of the Spanish Open, 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 American bias.

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

The Clitheroe-based pro, who also secured invitations to the Augusta National and Open with his Madrid victory, is not in the India field but will launch a final push to try to overhaul McIlroy at the peak of the rankings.

Meanwhile Dan Brown, the player Penge defeated in the Spanish playoff, is one of several British golfers in the midst of the competition for a 2026 PGA card.

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

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

But the DP World Tour argue it is a crucial system that supports their schedule, a essential and enticing feature that maximises competitive chances for its members.

Undoubtedly this is the season period where the practical aspects and necessary adjustments of men's professional golf seem at their most evident.