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Rory McIlroy ventures into new territory by playing in the Indian tournament this week as he returns to action for the first time since the Ryder Cup.

As the Northern Irishman widens his golfing horizons, the European golf circuit enters the closing stage of this year's Race to Dubai. McIlroy is in the leading spot to claim the annual championship for the fourth season running and seventh time overall.

This includes only three additional tournaments following the Indian event; the subsequent week's Genesis tournament in South Korea - which concludes the second half of the tour calendar - and then the final two tournaments in the Arabian region.

These big money playoff tournaments in the UAE capital and the emirate are reserved for the top 70 and then leading fifty in the season rankings.

But for players such as Fleetwood and Lowry, who are also in this week's field in India, there is reduced stress than one would expect.

Sitting outside the seventieth position, at first glance it would appear both need strong performances from their visit to the Delhi Golf Club to keep alive their seasons. But, in fact, they are guaranteed in advance of their positions in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

This is due to a rarely discussed but practical exception whereby members of Europe's Ryder Cup team are also considered eligible for next month's closing tournaments.

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

Other squad members who can also qualify are Aberg (72nd) and Sepp Straka (one hundred forty-seventh).

This might challenge the fairness of a playoff structure, which by nature is supposed to bring cut-throat competitive jeopardy, but this scenario also demonstrates 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 week's event in the Asian nation. The tour requires the biggest stars at their biggest events to justify the investment, which amounts to millions of dollars.

The talented golfer has enjoyed one of his most successful campaigns, highlighted by his maiden victory on US territory at East Lake just under eight weeks past.

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

Practical considerations trumps pure competition, even though the world number five - a Dubai resident - has reserved his strongest showings for tournaments that do not count on his domestic circuit.

The Englishman has to date played only four DP World Tour events and been unable to place in the leading twenty at any of them; the Middle Eastern event, Scottish Open, flagship event or pro-am competition.

Major championships also contribute on the Race to Dubai and his share of 16th at the British Open was his only top 20 in the major events. But on the American-based circuit he achieved seven top-five finishes.

The European star was also Europe's top points scorer at Bethpage last month. It seems absurd for him not to be taking his place alongside the tour's leading stars at the end of the season.

Although in the past the PGA and European tours were fierce competitors they are now closely connected thanks to the strategic alliance that supports European tour prize funds.

While Marco Penge, recent champion of the Spanish Open, has positioned himself in close pursuit as his closest rival at the top of the Race to Dubai, much of the attention for the remaining schedule will have an US focus.

The storyline will be driven by the competition for ten spots on the PGA Tour for those who do not already have tour cards in the US. The rising star, with three European victories, is guaranteed of what is generally considered as advancement to the American tour.

The Clitheroe-based pro, who also guaranteed invitations to the Masters and British Open with his Spanish success, is not in the India field but will launch a final push to try to overhaul the leader at the peak of the standings.

Meanwhile the English competitor, the player the champion beat in the Madrid play-off, is one of four other Britons in the thick of the competition for a 2026 PGA card.

Yorkshireman Parry and the Bath duo of Jordan Smith and Laurie Canter also presently hold spots that would yield a valuable opportunity for the coming season.

Certain analysts see this scenario as evidence that the DP World Tour is now nothing more than 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 necessary and enticing feature that optimizes playing opportunities for its participants.

Undoubtedly this is the season period where the practical aspects and compromises of elite golf competition seem at their clearest display.