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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.

While the Northern Irishman expands his competitive experience, the DP World Tour enters the closing stage 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 occasion in total.

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

These high-stakes playoff tournaments in Abu Dhabi and the emirate are reserved for the top 70 and then leading fifty in the standings.

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

Sitting outside the seventieth position, at initial inspection it would seem both require strong performances from their visit to the Indian course to extend their campaigns. Yet, actually, they are already assured of their places in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

This is due to a little publicised but pragmatic exception whereby participants 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 victory at August's Tour Championship in Atlanta, sits ninety-fourth in the European tour's annual rankings. Lowry, who made the winning stroke that retained the Ryder Cup, is one hundred fifty-fifth.

Additional squad members who can potentially benefit are Aberg (72nd) and Straka (147th).

This might question the integrity of a playoff structure, which by nature is supposed to bring cut-throat competitive jeopardy, but this scenario also demonstrates realities faced by the Wentworth-based DP World Tour.

They are dependent on major sponsors such as DP World, who are also the title sponsors of this week's event in India. They need the biggest stars at their premier tournaments to validate the investment, 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 European golf's superstars and, honestly, it would be inconceivable to host the 2025 season finale without him.

Practical considerations overrides pure competition, even though the world number five - a local resident - has saved his strongest showings for tournaments that do not qualify on his domestic circuit.

Fleetwood has to date played only four DP World Tour events and been unable to finish in the top 20 at any of them; the Dubai Desert Classic, Scottish Open, BMW PGA Championship or pro-am competition.

Major championships also contribute on the season standings 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 enjoyed seven placements in the top five.

The European star was also the team's highest contributor at the New York course last month. It seems ridiculous for him not to be participating alongside the circuit's top performers at the conclusion of the season.

While in the past the PGA and European tours were deadly rivals they are now inextricably linked thanks to the cooperative partnership that underpins DP World Tour financial rewards.

While Marco Penge, last week's winner of the Open De Espana, has moved into McIlroy's wing mirrors as his nearest challenger at the top of the Race to Dubai, much of the attention for the rest of the season will have an US focus.

The narrative will be shaped by the competition for ten spots on the PGA Tour for those who do not currently possess playing rights in the US. Penge, with three DPWT wins, is guaranteed of what is widely regarded as 'promotion' to the US circuit.

The Clitheroe-based pro, who also secured invitations to the Masters and Open with his Madrid victory, is not in the tournament lineup but will mount a last effort to try to overhaul the leader at the peak of the standings.

And the English competitor, the man Penge defeated in the Spanish playoff, is one of several British golfers in the midst of the battle for a future US tour card.

Yorkshireman Parry and the Bath duo of Smith and Canter also currently occupy spots that would yield a golden ticket for next year.

Certain analysts see this scenario as evidence that the DP World Tour is now essentially a development tour for the larger circuit on the American continent.

But the DP World Tour argue it is a vital mechanism that underpins their schedule, a essential and enticing element that optimizes competitive chances for its participants.

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