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Rory McIlroy breaks new ground by competing in the Indian tournament this week as he makes his comeback to action for the initial occasion since the prestigious team event.

As the Northern Irishman widens his competitive experience, the European golf circuit begins the closing stage of this year's Race to Dubai. McIlroy is in the leading spot to secure the annual championship for the fourth consecutive year and seventh occasion in total.

This includes only three more events after the Indian event; the subsequent week's Genesis tournament in Korean venue - which wraps up the 'Back Nine' phase of the schedule - and then the last two competitions in the Arabian region.

These big money 'play-off' events in the UAE capital and the emirate are exclusively available for the leading seventy and then leading fifty in the standings.

But for the likes of Tommy Fleetwood and Lowry, who are also in this week's field in the subcontinent, there is less pressure than one would expect.

Comfortably below the top 70, at initial inspection it would seem both require strong performances from their visit to the Indian course to extend their campaigns. But, in fact, they are guaranteed in advance of their places in the UAE and Dubai.

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

Fleetwood, who won the American playoff series with his impressive victory at the season-ending event in Atlanta, lies 94th in the European tour's annual rankings. The Irish champion, who made the winning stroke that retained the Ryder Cup, is one hundred fifty-fifth.

Other squad members who can potentially benefit are Aberg (seventy-second) and Sepp Straka (147th).

This could challenge the fairness of a play-off system, which by definition is intended to bring cut-throat competitive jeopardy, but this situation also illustrates practical considerations faced by the headquartered DP World Tour.

They are dependent on big backers such as the title partner, who are also the title sponsors of this current tournament in India. The tour requires the top players at their biggest events to justify the financial commitment, which amounts to substantial funding.

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

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

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

Fleetwood has so far played only four European tournaments and been unable to place in the leading twenty at any of them; the Middle Eastern event, UK tournament, BMW PGA Championship or pro-am competition.

Major championships also contribute on the Race to Dubai and his sixteenth-place finish at the Open was his only top 20 in the major events. However on the US tour he enjoyed seven placements in the top five.

Fleetwood was also Europe's top points scorer at Bethpage last month. It would be ridiculous for him not to be participating with the circuit's top performers at the conclusion of the campaign.

While in the previous era the American and European circuits were deadly rivals they are now closely connected thanks to the strategic alliance that supports European tour financial rewards.

While Marco Penge, last week's winner of the Open De Espana, has positioned himself in McIlroy's wing mirrors as his closest rival at the summit of the Race to Dubai, much of the interest for the rest of the season will have an American bias.

The storyline will be driven by the competition for ten spots on the PGA Tour for those who do not currently possess playing rights in the United States. Penge, with three European victories, is guaranteed of what is widely regarded as 'promotion' to the US circuit.

The Clitheroe-based pro, who also guaranteed invites to the Masters 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 top of the rankings.

And Dan Brown, the man the champion beat in the Madrid play-off, is one of four other Britons in the thick of the battle for a 2026 PGA card.

Yorkshireman John Parry and the West Country pair of Jordan Smith and Canter also presently hold positions that would yield a valuable opportunity for the coming season.

Some observers see this development as evidence that the European circuit is now essentially a development tour for the larger circuit on the American continent.

However the DP World Tour maintain it is a crucial system that supports their schedule, a necessary and enticing feature that optimizes competitive chances for its members.

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