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Rory McIlroy breaks new ground by competing in the Indian tournament this week as he makes his comeback to competition for the first time since the Ryder Cup.

While the golf superstar expands his competitive experience, the European golf circuit begins the final phase of this year's Race to Dubai. McIlroy is in the leading spot to claim the season-long title for the fourth season running and seventh time overall.

This includes only three additional tournaments following the Indian event; the subsequent week's Genesis Championship in South Korea - which concludes the 'Back Nine' phase of the tour calendar - and then the final two tournaments in the Middle East.

These high-stakes 'play-off' events in Abu Dhabi and Dubai are reserved 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 India, there is reduced stress than you might imagine.

Sitting outside the top 70, at first glance it would appear both require strong performances from their trip to the Indian course to keep alive their seasons. Yet, actually, they are guaranteed in advance of their places in the UAE and the final event.

This is due to a rarely discussed but pragmatic loophole whereby members of Europe's Ryder Cup team are also deemed qualified for the upcoming season finale events.

The English golfer, who won the PGA Tour's play-offs with his impressive victory at the season-ending event in Atlanta, lies 94th in the continental circuit's season-long table. The Irish champion, who sank the winning stroke that secured the team trophy, is 155th.

Additional European team-mates who can potentially benefit are Aberg (72nd) and Straka (147th).

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

The tour is reliant on big backers such as DP World, who are also the naming sponsors of this week's event in the Asian nation. The tour requires the biggest stars at their premier tournaments to validate the financial commitment, which runs to millions of dollars.

Fleetwood has enjoyed one of his most successful seasons, capped by his maiden victory on US territory at the Atlanta course just under eight weeks past.

Fleetwood represents one of the continent's superstars and, honestly, it would be inconceivable to stage the upcoming season climax without him.

Practical considerations overrides competitive integrity, even though the world number five - a local resident - has reserved his best performances for events 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 tournament; the Dubai Desert Classic, UK tournament, BMW PGA Championship or Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

The majors also count on the Race to Dubai and his share of 16th at the British Open was his only top 20 in the big four tournaments. However on the US tour he achieved seven top-five finishes.

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 taking his place alongside the tour's leading stars at the end of the season.

Although in the previous era the PGA and European tours were deadly rivals they are now inextricably linked thanks to the strategic alliance that underpins European tour financial rewards.

While Marco Penge, last week's winner of the Spanish Open, has positioned himself in McIlroy's wing mirrors as his closest rival at the top of the season championship, much of the attention for the remaining schedule will have an American bias.

The storyline will be shaped by the competition for ten spots on the American circuit for those who do not already have playing rights in the United States. Penge, with three DPWT wins, is assured of what is widely regarded as advancement to the American tour.

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 overtake the leader at the top of the standings.

Meanwhile the English competitor, the man Penge defeated in the Spanish playoff, is one of four other Britons in the midst of the competition for a 2026 PGA card.

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

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

But the organization argue it is a vital mechanism that supports their schedule, a essential and enticing feature that optimizes competitive chances for its members.

Undoubtedly this is the season period where the realities and necessary adjustments of men's professional golf seem at their clearest display.