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

As the golf superstar widens his golfing horizons, the DP World Tour begins the closing stage of this year's Race to Dubai. McIlroy is in pole position to claim the annual championship 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 Championship in Korean venue - which wraps up the second half of the tour calendar - and then the last two competitions in the Arabian region.

These big money playoff tournaments in Abu Dhabi and Dubai are exclusively available for the leading seventy and then top 50 in the season rankings.

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

Sitting outside the top 70, at initial inspection it would seem both require high finishes from their trip to the Delhi Golf Club to extend their campaigns. Yet, actually, they are already assured of their positions in the UAE and Dubai.

This results from a rarely discussed but practical loophole whereby members of the European squad are also deemed eligible for the upcoming season finale events.

The English golfer, who won the American playoff series with his impressive victory at the season-ending event in Atlanta, lies ninety-fourth in the continental circuit's season-long table. Lowry, who sank the putt that secured the Ryder Cup, is one hundred fifty-fifth.

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

This could challenge the integrity of a play-off system, which by definition is supposed to bring cut-throat high-stakes drama, but this situation also illustrates practical considerations faced by the Wentworth-based DP World Tour.

The tour is reliant on big backers such as DP World, who are also the title sponsors of this week's event in India. The tour requires the biggest stars at their biggest events to validate the investment, which amounts to substantial funding.

The talented golfer has experienced one of his best campaigns, capped by his maiden victory on American soil at the Atlanta course just under two months ago.

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

Common sense overrides pure competition, even though the world number five - a local resident - has reserved his strongest showings for events that do not qualify on his domestic circuit.

Fleetwood has to date played only four European tournaments and been unable to place in the top 20 at any tournament; the Middle Eastern event, Scottish Open, BMW PGA Championship or Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

Major championships also count on the season standings and his share of 16th at the British Open was his sole high finish in the big four tournaments. But 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 seems ridiculous for him not to be taking his place alongside the tour's leading stars at the conclusion of the season.

Although in the previous era the PGA and European tours were fierce competitors they are now closely connected thanks to the cooperative partnership that underpins DP World Tour financial rewards.

As Marco Penge, recent champion of the Spanish Open, has moved into close pursuit as his closest rival at the top of the Race to Dubai, much of the attention for the rest of the season will have an American bias.

The storyline will be shaped by the scramble for ten spots on the PGA Tour for those who do not currently possess tour cards in the US. Penge, with three DPWT wins, is assured of what is generally considered as 'promotion' to the US circuit.

The Lancashire golfer, who also secured invites to the Masters and British Open with his Madrid victory, is not in the tournament lineup but will mount a final push to try to overhaul the leader at the top of the rankings.

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.

Northern golfer Parry and the Bath duo of Smith and Laurie Canter also currently occupy positions that would provide a golden ticket for next year.

Certain analysts view this scenario as evidence that the European circuit is now essentially a feeder for big brother on the American continent.

However the organization maintain it is a crucial system that supports their schedule, a necessary and attractive feature that maximises competitive chances for its participants.

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