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Rory McIlroy ventures into new territory by competing in India this week as he returns to action for the initial occasion since the prestigious team event.

As the Northern Irishman expands his competitive experience, the European golf circuit enters the final phase of this year's Race to Dubai. The world-class golfer is in pole position to secure the season-long title for the fourth consecutive year and seventh occasion in total.

This includes only three more events following the India Championship; the subsequent week's Genesis tournament in South Korea - which wraps up the 'Back Nine' phase of the tour calendar - and then the last two competitions in the Middle East.

These big money playoff tournaments in Abu Dhabi and the emirate are reserved for the leading seventy and then leading fifty in the season rankings.

But for the likes of Fleetwood and Lowry, who are also in this week's field in India, there is less pressure than you might imagine.

Sitting below the top 70, at first glance it would appear both need strong performances from their visit to the Delhi Golf Club to keep alive their campaigns. Yet, actually, they are already assured of their places in the UAE and Dubai.

This is due to a little publicised but pragmatic exception whereby members of the European squad are also considered eligible for next month's season finale events.

The English golfer, who triumphed in the PGA Tour's play-offs with his stirring win at August's Tour Championship in Atlanta, sits 94th in the continental circuit's annual rankings. The Irish champion, who sank the putt that secured the Ryder Cup, is 155th.

Additional European team-mates who can potentially benefit are Aberg (seventy-second) and Straka (one hundred forty-seventh).

This could question the fairness of a play-off system, which by definition is supposed to bring intense competitive jeopardy, but this scenario also demonstrates practical considerations 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 week's event in India. The tour requires the top players at their biggest events to validate the investment, which runs to millions of dollars.

The talented golfer has enjoyed one of his best campaigns, highlighted by his first win on US territory at East Lake just under eight weeks past.

Fleetwood represents one of European golf's elite players and, frankly, it would be unthinkable to host the upcoming season climax without him.

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

Fleetwood has to date played only four European tournaments and been unable to finish in the leading twenty at any of them; the Middle Eastern event, UK tournament, flagship event or Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

The majors also count on the Race to Dubai and his sixteenth-place finish at the British Open was his only top 20 in the big four tournaments. 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 seems ridiculous for him not to be participating with the circuit's top performers at the end of the campaign.

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

As Marco Penge, recent champion of the Spanish Open, has moved into McIlroy's wing mirrors as his nearest challenger at the summit of the season championship, much of the interest for the remaining schedule will have an American bias.

The narrative will be shaped by the competition for ten spots on the American circuit for those who do not currently possess tour cards in the United States. Penge, with three DPWT wins, is guaranteed of what is widely regarded as advancement to the American tour.

The Lancashire golfer, who also guaranteed 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 overtake McIlroy at the peak of the standings.

Meanwhile Dan Brown, the player the champion defeated in the Spanish playoff, is one of several British golfers in the thick of the battle for a 2026 PGA card.

Yorkshireman John Parry and the Bath duo of Smith and Laurie Canter also currently occupy spots that would provide a golden ticket for the coming season.

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

But the organization maintain it is a crucial system that underpins their tour calendar, a essential and enticing feature that maximises competitive chances for its members.

Certainly this is the season period where the practical aspects and necessary adjustments of elite golf competition seem at their most evident.