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Rory McIlroy breaks new ground by playing in the Indian tournament this week as he returns to competition for the first time since the Ryder Cup.

While the golf superstar widens his golfing horizons, the DP World Tour begins the final phase of this year's season-long championship. The world-class golfer is in pole position to secure the annual championship for the fourth consecutive year and seventh time overall.

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

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

But for players such as Fleetwood and Shane Lowry, who are also in this tournament lineup in the subcontinent, there is reduced stress than one would expect.

Comfortably outside the top 70, at first glance it would appear both need strong performances from their trip to the Indian course to extend their campaigns. Yet, actually, they are already assured of their places in Abu Dhabi and the final event.

This results from a little publicised but practical exception whereby members of Europe's Ryder Cup team are also deemed qualified for next month's season finale events.

The English golfer, who won the American playoff series with his impressive win at the season-ending event in Atlanta, sits ninety-fourth in the European tour's annual rankings. Lowry, who sank the winning stroke that retained the Ryder Cup, is 155th.

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

This could challenge the fairness of a play-off system, which by nature is supposed to bring cut-throat competitive jeopardy, but this scenario also illustrates practical considerations faced by the headquartered 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 biggest stars at their premier tournaments to validate the financial commitment, which amounts to millions of dollars.

Fleetwood has enjoyed one of his most successful campaigns, highlighted by his maiden victory on US territory at the Atlanta course 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.

Common sense trumps pure competition, even though the top-ranked player - a local resident - has reserved his best performances for events that do not count on his domestic circuit.

The Englishman has so far played only four European tournaments and been unable to finish in the leading twenty at any of them; the Dubai Desert Classic, UK tournament, flagship event or Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

The majors also contribute on the season standings 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 achieved seven top-five finishes.

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 season.

While in the past the American and European circuits were deadly rivals they are now closely connected thanks to the strategic alliance that supports DP World Tour financial rewards.

While Marco Penge, recent champion of the Spanish Open, has positioned himself in close pursuit as his closest rival at the top of the season championship, much of the attention for the rest of the season will have an American bias.

The narrative will be driven by the competition for 10 places on the PGA Tour for those who do not already have tour cards in the US. The rising star, with three European victories, is guaranteed of what is generally considered as advancement to the US circuit.

The Clitheroe-based pro, who also guaranteed invitations to the Augusta National and British Open with his Spanish success, is not in the India field but will mount a final push to try to overtake the leader at the top of the standings.

And the English competitor, the man Penge beat in the Spanish playoff, is one of four other Britons in the thick of the battle for a 2026 PGA card.

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

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

But the organization argue it is a vital mechanism that supports their schedule, a essential and enticing element that maximises playing opportunities for its participants.

Undoubtedly this is the season period where the practical aspects and compromises of elite golf competition seem at their most evident.