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Rory McIlroy ventures into new territory by playing in the Indian tournament this week as he makes his comeback to action for the first time since the prestigious team event.

As the golf superstar widens his competitive experience, the European golf circuit begins the closing stage of this year's Race to Dubai. The world-class golfer is in the leading spot to claim the season-long title for the fourth consecutive year and seventh occasion in total.

There are only three additional tournaments after the Indian event; the subsequent week's Genesis tournament in South Korea - which concludes the second half of the schedule - and then the last two competitions in the Middle East.

These particular big money playoff tournaments in the UAE capital and the emirate are reserved for the top 70 and then top 50 in the season rankings.

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

Comfortably outside the top 70, at first glance it would seem both need strong performances from their trip to the Delhi Golf Club to extend their seasons. But, in fact, they are guaranteed in advance of their positions in the UAE and Dubai.

This results from a little publicised but practical loophole whereby participants of Europe's Ryder Cup team are also deemed qualified for the upcoming closing tournaments.

The English golfer, who triumphed in the American playoff series with his impressive victory at the season-ending event in Georgia, sits ninety-fourth in the European tour's season-long table. Lowry, who sank the putt that secured the team trophy, is one hundred fifty-fifth.

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

This could question the integrity of a play-off system, which by definition is intended to bring cut-throat high-stakes drama, but this scenario also demonstrates realities faced by the Wentworth-based DP World Tour.

They are dependent on major sponsors such as DP World, who are also the naming sponsors of this week's event in India. The tour requires the top players at their premier tournaments to justify the financial commitment, which runs to millions of dollars.

Fleetwood has experienced one of his most successful campaigns, highlighted by his maiden victory on American soil at the Atlanta course just under two months ago.

He is one of the continent'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 local resident - has reserved his best performances for tournaments that do not count on his home tour.

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, UK tournament, BMW PGA Championship or Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

The majors also count on the season standings and his sixteenth-place finish at the Open was his sole high finish in the major events. But on the American-based circuit he achieved seven placements in the top five.

Fleetwood was also Europe's top points scorer at the New York course last month. It would be ridiculous for him not to be participating alongside the circuit's top performers at the conclusion of the season.

Although in the past the American and European circuits were fierce competitors they are now closely connected thanks to the cooperative partnership that underpins European tour financial rewards.

As Marco Penge, last week's winner of the Open De Espana, has positioned himself in close pursuit as his nearest challenger at the top of the Race to Dubai, much of the interest for the remaining schedule will have an American bias.

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. The rising star, with three European victories, is guaranteed of what is generally considered as 'promotion' to the American tour.

The Clitheroe-based pro, who also secured invitations to the Masters and Open with his Spanish success, is not in the India field but will mount a last effort to try to overtake the leader at the peak of the standings.

Meanwhile the English competitor, the player the champion beat in the Spanish playoff, is one of four other Britons in the thick of the competition for a 2026 PGA card.

Yorkshireman John Parry and the West Country pair of Jordan Smith and Canter also presently hold positions that would provide a valuable opportunity for the coming season.

Some observers see this development 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 argue it is a crucial system that underpins their schedule, a essential and enticing element that optimizes playing opportunities for its participants.

Undoubtedly this is the season period where the practical aspects and compromises of men's professional golf seem at their clearest display.