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Rory McIlroy breaks new ground by competing in India this week as he makes his comeback to competition for the first time since the prestigious team event.

As the Northern Irishman expands his golfing horizons, the DP World Tour begins the final phase of this year's season-long championship. The world-class golfer 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 India Championship; the subsequent week's Genesis Championship in South Korea - which wraps up the second half of the tour calendar - and then the final two tournaments in the Arabian region.

These big money playoff tournaments in Abu Dhabi and the emirate are exclusively available for the top 70 and then top 50 in the season rankings.

But for players such as Fleetwood and Lowry, who are also in this week's field in the subcontinent, there is less pressure than you might imagine.

Comfortably outside the seventieth position, at initial inspection it would appear both need high finishes from their visit to the Indian course to extend their campaigns. Yet, in fact, they are guaranteed in advance of their places in the UAE and the final event.

This results from a rarely discussed but pragmatic loophole whereby participants of Europe's Ryder Cup team are also deemed qualified for the upcoming closing tournaments.

Fleetwood, who won the PGA Tour's play-offs with his impressive victory at August's Tour Championship in Atlanta, sits 94th in the European tour's season-long table. Lowry, who made the putt that secured the team trophy, is one hundred fifty-fifth.

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

This might challenge the fairness of a playoff structure, which by definition is intended to bring intense competitive jeopardy, but this situation also illustrates practical considerations faced by the Wentworth-based European circuit.

The tour is dependent on big backers such as DP World, who are also the title sponsors of this current tournament in India. They need the top players at their biggest events to justify the investment, which runs to millions of dollars.

Fleetwood has enjoyed one of his most successful campaigns, highlighted by his maiden victory on American soil at East Lake just under two months ago.

Fleetwood represents one of the continent's superstars and, honestly, it would be inconceivable to host the 2025 season finale without him.

Common sense overrides pure competition, even though the top-ranked player - a Dubai resident - has reserved his strongest showings for tournaments that do not count on his home tour.

Fleetwood has to date played only four DP World Tour events and failed to place in the top 20 at any of them; the Middle Eastern event, Scottish Open, flagship event or pro-am competition.

Major championships also contribute on the season standings and his share of 16th at the British Open was his only top 20 in the big four tournaments. But on the American-based circuit he enjoyed seven top-five finishes.

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

While in the previous era the PGA and European tours were deadly rivals they are now inextricably linked thanks to the strategic alliance that supports DP World Tour prize funds.

While the English golfer, recent champion of the Spanish Open, has moved into McIlroy's wing mirrors as his closest rival at the summit of the Race to Dubai, much of the attention for the remaining schedule 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 already have playing rights in the United States. Penge, with three DPWT wins, is guaranteed of what is generally considered as advancement to the American tour.

The Clitheroe-based pro, who also guaranteed invites 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 overhaul the leader at the top of the standings.

And Dan Brown, the player the champion defeated in the Spanish playoff, is one of several British golfers in the midst of the competition for a 2026 PGA card.

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

Certain analysts view this development as proof that the DP World Tour is now essentially a feeder for big brother on the American continent.

But the DP World Tour argue it is a crucial system that underpins their tour calendar, a essential and enticing feature that optimizes playing opportunities for its participants.

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