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Rory McIlroy breaks new ground 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 golf superstar expands his competitive experience, the European golf circuit begins the closing stage of this year's season-long championship. The world-class golfer is in the leading spot to secure the season-long title for the fourth consecutive year and seventh time overall.

This includes only three more events after the India Championship; the following week's Genesis Championship in Korean venue - which wraps up the second half of the tour calendar - and then the final two tournaments in the Arabian region.

These particular high-stakes 'play-off' events in Abu Dhabi and the emirate are exclusively available for the top 70 and then leading fifty in the season rankings.

However for the likes of Tommy Fleetwood and Shane Lowry, who are also in this week's field in India, there is less pressure than one would expect.

Sitting outside the top 70, at first glance it would appear both need high finishes from their trip to the Delhi Golf Club to extend their seasons. Yet, in fact, they are guaranteed in advance of their places in the UAE and the final event.

This is due to a rarely discussed but practical loophole whereby participants of the European squad are also deemed eligible for next month's closing tournaments.

Fleetwood, who won the PGA Tour's play-offs with his impressive win at August's Tour Championship in Georgia, lies 94th in the European tour's season-long table. Lowry, who sank the putt that retained the team trophy, is 155th.

Additional European team-mates who can also qualify are Aberg (seventy-second) and Straka (one hundred forty-seventh).

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

The tour is dependent on major sponsors such as the title partner, who are also the title sponsors of this current tournament in the Asian nation. The tour requires the biggest stars at their biggest events to validate the financial commitment, which amounts to substantial funding.

The talented golfer has enjoyed one of his best campaigns, capped by his first win on American soil at East Lake just under two months ago.

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

Common sense overrides competitive integrity, even though the top-ranked player - a Dubai resident - has saved his strongest showings for tournaments that do not qualify on his domestic circuit.

The Englishman has to date played only four DP World Tour events and been unable to finish in the leading twenty at any tournament; the Middle Eastern event, UK tournament, BMW PGA Championship or Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

Major championships also contribute on the season standings and his share of 16th at the British Open was his sole high finish in the major events. But on the American-based circuit he enjoyed seven top-five finishes.

Fleetwood was also the team's highest contributor at the New York course last month. It would be absurd for him not to be participating alongside the tour's leading stars at the end of the season.

While in the past the American and European circuits were fierce competitors they are now closely connected thanks to the strategic alliance that supports DP World Tour financial rewards.

As the English golfer, last week's winner of the Open De Espana, has moved into close pursuit as his closest rival at the summit of the season championship, much of the attention for the remaining schedule will have an US focus.

The narrative will be driven by the competition for ten spots on the American circuit for those who do not currently possess tour cards in the United States. Penge, with three European victories, is guaranteed of what is widely regarded as 'promotion' to the American tour.

The Lancashire golfer, who also secured invites to the Masters and Open with his Spanish success, is not in the tournament lineup but will launch a final push to try to overhaul the leader at the top of the rankings.

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

Yorkshireman Parry and the Bath duo of Smith and Canter also currently occupy positions that would yield a golden ticket for the coming season.

Some observers view this scenario as evidence that the DP World Tour is now essentially a feeder for big brother on the other side of the pond.

But the DP World Tour maintain it is a crucial system that underpins their schedule, a essential and attractive feature that optimizes playing opportunities for its participants.

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