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Rory McIlroy ventures into new territory by competing in India this week as he returns to competition for the first time since the Ryder Cup.

As the golf superstar expands his golfing horizons, the DP World Tour enters the final phase of this year's Race to Dubai. The world-class golfer is in pole position to secure the season-long title for the fourth consecutive year and seventh time overall.

This includes only three more events after the Indian event; the subsequent week's Genesis tournament in Korean venue - which concludes the 'Back Nine' phase of the schedule - and then the final two tournaments in the Middle East.

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.

However for players such as Fleetwood and Shane Lowry, who are also in this tournament lineup in the subcontinent, there is less pressure than one would expect.

Comfortably outside the seventieth position, at first glance it would appear both require strong performances from their trip to the Indian course to keep alive their seasons. Yet, in fact, they are already assured of their places in Abu Dhabi and the final event.

This is due to a little publicised but practical loophole whereby members of Europe's Ryder Cup team are also deemed qualified for the upcoming closing tournaments.

Fleetwood, who triumphed in the PGA Tour's play-offs with his impressive victory at August's Tour Championship in Georgia, sits 94th in the continental circuit's season-long table. The Irish champion, who sank the putt that secured the Ryder Cup, is one hundred fifty-fifth.

Additional squad members who can potentially benefit are Aberg (72nd) and Sepp Straka (one hundred forty-seventh).

This might challenge the fairness of a play-off system, which by definition is supposed to bring intense high-stakes drama, but this situation also demonstrates realities faced by the headquartered DP World Tour.

The tour is dependent on big backers such as the title partner, who are also the naming sponsors of this current tournament in India. The tour requires the top players at their premier tournaments to validate the financial commitment, which amounts to millions of dollars.

Fleetwood has experienced one of his best campaigns, capped by his maiden victory on US territory at East Lake just under two months ago.

Fleetwood represents one of European golf's elite players and, frankly, it would be inconceivable to stage the 2025 season finale without him.

Common sense overrides competitive integrity, even though the top-ranked player - a Dubai resident - has reserved his strongest showings for events that do not qualify on his home tour.

Fleetwood has so far played only four DP World Tour events and failed to finish in the leading twenty at any tournament; the Dubai Desert Classic, Scottish Open, flagship event or Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

Major championships also contribute on the season standings and his share of 16th at the British Open was his only top 20 in the major events. However on the American-based circuit he achieved seven placements in the top five.

Fleetwood was also Europe's top points scorer at Bethpage last month. It seems absurd for him not to be participating with the tour's leading stars at the conclusion of the campaign.

While in the past the American and European circuits were fierce competitors they are now inextricably linked thanks to the cooperative partnership that supports DP World Tour prize funds.

While Marco Penge, last week's winner of the Open De Espana, has moved into close pursuit as his nearest challenger at the top of the Race to Dubai, much of the attention for the rest of the season will have an US focus.

The narrative will be driven by the scramble for 10 places 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 widely regarded as 'promotion' to the US circuit.

The Clitheroe-based pro, who also guaranteed invitations to the Augusta National and British Open with his Madrid victory, is not in the tournament lineup but will mount a final push to try to overtake McIlroy at the top of the standings.

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

Yorkshireman John Parry and the Bath duo of Jordan Smith and Laurie Canter also currently occupy spots that would provide 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 other side of the pond.

But the organization maintain it is a crucial system that underpins their schedule, a necessary and enticing element that maximises competitive chances for its members.

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