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The Northern Irish golfer ventures into new territory by playing in the Indian tournament this week as he makes his comeback to competition for the first time since the Ryder Cup.

As the golf superstar widens his golfing horizons, the European golf circuit begins the final phase of this year's season-long championship. The world-class golfer is in the leading spot to claim the annual championship for the fourth consecutive year and seventh time overall.

This includes only three additional tournaments after the India Championship; the subsequent week's Genesis Championship in Korean venue - which concludes the second half of the tour calendar - and then the final two tournaments in the Arabian region.

These big money 'play-off' events in the UAE capital and Dubai are reserved for the leading seventy and then leading fifty in the standings.

But for the likes of Fleetwood and Lowry, who are also in this week's field in the subcontinent, there is reduced stress than one would expect.

Comfortably outside the top 70, at initial inspection it would seem both require strong performances from their visit to the Delhi Golf Club to keep alive their campaigns. But, in fact, they are guaranteed in advance of their places in Abu Dhabi and the final event.

This is due to a little publicised but practical loophole whereby members of the European squad are also considered eligible for the upcoming closing tournaments.

Fleetwood, who triumphed in the PGA Tour's play-offs with his stirring win at August's Tour Championship in Atlanta, lies ninety-fourth in the European tour's annual rankings. Lowry, who made the putt that retained the team trophy, is 155th.

Additional squad members who can potentially benefit are Ludvig Aberg (72nd) and Sepp Straka (147th).

This could challenge the fairness of a playoff structure, which by nature is supposed to bring cut-throat competitive jeopardy, but this situation also demonstrates realities faced by the headquartered DP World Tour.

They are dependent on major sponsors such as the title partner, who are also the naming sponsors of this current tournament in India. They need the top players at their biggest events to justify the financial commitment, which runs to substantial funding.

The talented golfer has experienced one of his most successful campaigns, capped by his first win on American soil 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 upcoming season climax without him.

Common sense trumps competitive integrity, even though the world number five - a Dubai resident - has saved his strongest showings for events that do not qualify on his domestic circuit.

The Englishman has so far played only four European tournaments and been unable to finish in the leading twenty at any of them; the Dubai Desert Classic, Scottish Open, BMW PGA Championship or pro-am competition.

The majors also count on the season standings and his sixteenth-place finish at the British Open was his only top 20 in the major events. But on the American-based circuit he achieved seven placements in the top five.

The European star was also Europe's top points scorer at Bethpage last month. It seems ridiculous for him not to be participating with the tour's leading stars at the end of the campaign.

Although in the past the PGA and European tours were deadly rivals they are now closely connected thanks to the cooperative partnership that underpins European tour financial rewards.

While Marco Penge, recent champion of the Spanish Open, has moved into McIlroy's wing mirrors as his nearest challenger at the top of the season championship, much of the interest for the remaining schedule will have an US focus.

The narrative will be driven by the scramble for 10 places on the American circuit for those who do not currently possess tour cards in the US. The rising star, with three DPWT wins, is guaranteed of what is generally considered as 'promotion' to the American tour.

The Lancashire golfer, who also guaranteed invitations to the Augusta National and British Open with his Spanish success, is not in the India field but will mount a last effort to try to overhaul the leader at the top of the rankings.

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

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

Some observers view this development as evidence that the European circuit is now essentially a development tour for the larger circuit on the other side of the pond.

However the organization argue it is a vital mechanism that underpins their schedule, a essential and enticing element that optimizes competitive chances for its participants.

Certainly this is the season period where the practical aspects and compromises of men's professional golf seem at their most evident.