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The Northern Irish golfer breaks new ground by playing 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 widens his competitive experience, the DP World Tour enters the closing stage of this year's season-long championship. McIlroy is in pole position to claim the season-long title for the fourth season running and seventh time overall.

There are only three more events after the India Championship; the subsequent week's Genesis Championship in Korean venue - which concludes the second half of the schedule - and then the final two tournaments in the Middle East.

These high-stakes 'play-off' events in the UAE capital and the emirate are exclusively available for the top 70 and then leading fifty in the standings.

But for players such as Fleetwood and Shane Lowry, who are also in this tournament lineup in the subcontinent, there is less pressure than you might imagine.

Comfortably outside the top 70, at initial inspection it would seem both require strong performances from their visit to the Indian course to keep alive their campaigns. Yet, in fact, they are already assured of their places in the UAE and Dubai.

This is due to a little publicised but pragmatic exception whereby members of Europe's Ryder Cup team are also considered eligible for the upcoming season finale events.

Fleetwood, who triumphed in the PGA Tour's play-offs with his impressive victory at August's Tour Championship in Atlanta, sits 94th in the continental circuit's annual rankings. Lowry, who made the putt that retained the team trophy, is 155th.

Other European team-mates who can potentially benefit are Aberg (72nd) and Straka (one hundred forty-seventh).

This could question the fairness of a play-off system, which by nature is intended to bring cut-throat high-stakes drama, but this situation also illustrates practical considerations faced by the headquartered European circuit.

They are dependent on big backers such as the title partner, who are also the title sponsors of this week's event in India. The tour requires the biggest stars at their premier tournaments to justify the financial commitment, which amounts to substantial funding.

Fleetwood has experienced one of his best campaigns, highlighted by his maiden victory on US territory at the Atlanta course just under two months ago.

He is one of European golf's superstars and, honestly, it would be unthinkable to stage the 2025 season finale without him.

Practical considerations overrides competitive integrity, even though the world number five - a Dubai resident - has saved his best performances for tournaments that do not qualify on his domestic circuit.

The Englishman has to date played only four European tournaments and been unable to place in the top 20 at any tournament; the Dubai Desert Classic, Scottish Open, flagship event or pro-am competition.

The majors also contribute on the Race to Dubai and his sixteenth-place finish at the Open was his only top 20 in the big four tournaments. However on the US tour he enjoyed seven top-five finishes.

The European star was also the team's highest contributor at the New York course last month. It would be absurd for him not to be participating with the circuit's top performers at the conclusion of the campaign.

Although in the previous era the American and European circuits were fierce competitors they are now closely connected thanks to the strategic alliance that supports European tour prize funds.

As the English golfer, recent champion of the Spanish Open, has positioned himself in close pursuit as his closest rival at the summit of the Race to Dubai, much of the interest for the rest of the season will have an US focus.

The storyline will be shaped by the scramble for ten spots on the PGA Tour for those who do not already have playing rights in the US. Penge, with three European victories, is guaranteed of what is generally considered as advancement to the US circuit.

The Lancashire golfer, who also guaranteed invites to the Masters and Open with his Madrid victory, is not in the tournament lineup but will launch a final push to try to overhaul the leader at the peak of the standings.

Meanwhile Dan Brown, the player Penge beat in the Madrid play-off, is one of several British golfers in the thick of the battle for a 2026 PGA card.

Northern golfer John Parry and the Bath duo of Jordan Smith and Laurie Canter also presently hold positions that would yield a valuable opportunity for next year.

Certain analysts see this scenario as evidence that the DP World Tour is now essentially a feeder for big brother on the American continent.

But the DP World Tour maintain it is a crucial system that underpins their schedule, a essential and enticing element that maximises competitive chances for its participants.

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