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Rory McIlroy breaks new ground by competing in India this week as he returns to action for the first time since the Ryder Cup.

While the Northern Irishman widens his golfing horizons, the European golf circuit enters the closing stage of this year's Race to Dubai. McIlroy is in the leading spot to claim the season-long title for the fourth consecutive year and seventh occasion in total.

This includes only three more events after the Indian event; the subsequent week's Genesis tournament in Korean venue - which concludes the second half of the tour calendar - and then the last two competitions in the Middle East.

These big money playoff tournaments in Abu Dhabi and the emirate are exclusively available for the leading seventy and then top 50 in the season rankings.

But for the likes of Fleetwood and Shane Lowry, who are also in this tournament lineup in India, there is less pressure than you might imagine.

Comfortably outside the top 70, at first glance it would seem both require high finishes from their trip to the Indian course to keep alive their campaigns. But, in fact, they are already assured of their places in Abu Dhabi and the final event.

This results from a little publicised but pragmatic loophole whereby participants of the European squad are also deemed eligible for next month's season finale events.

Fleetwood, who triumphed in the PGA Tour's play-offs with his impressive win at the season-ending event in Atlanta, lies ninety-fourth in the European tour's annual rankings. Lowry, who sank the putt that retained the team trophy, is 155th.

Additional European team-mates who can also qualify are Ludvig Aberg (72nd) and Straka (one hundred forty-seventh).

This could challenge the fairness of a play-off system, which by nature is supposed to bring cut-throat high-stakes drama, but this situation also illustrates practical considerations faced by the Wentworth-based DP World Tour.

The tour is reliant on major sponsors such as DP World, who are also the title sponsors of this week's event in India. The tour requires the biggest stars at their premier tournaments to validate the investment, which amounts to substantial funding.

Fleetwood has enjoyed one of his best campaigns, capped by his maiden victory on US territory at the Atlanta course just under eight weeks past.

Fleetwood represents one of the continent's superstars and, honestly, it would be unthinkable to host the upcoming season climax without him.

Practical considerations trumps competitive integrity, even though the world number five - a Dubai resident - has reserved his best performances for tournaments that do not count on his home tour.

Fleetwood has to date played only four DP World Tour events and failed to place in the top 20 at any tournament; the Dubai Desert Classic, Scottish Open, flagship event or Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

The majors also count on the season standings and his share of 16th at the Open was his sole high finish in the major events. However on the American-based circuit he achieved seven placements in the top five.

Fleetwood was also the team's highest contributor at Bethpage last month. It would be ridiculous for him not to be taking his place with the tour's leading stars at the conclusion of the season.

While in the past the PGA and European tours were fierce competitors they are now inextricably linked thanks to the cooperative partnership that supports European tour prize funds.

As the English golfer, recent champion of the Open De Espana, has positioned himself in close pursuit as his closest rival at the summit of the Race to Dubai, much of the interest for the remaining schedule will have an American bias.

The storyline will be driven by the scramble for ten spots on the PGA Tour for those who do not currently possess playing rights in the United States. The rising star, with three DPWT wins, is assured of what is generally considered as advancement to the American tour.

The Lancashire golfer, who also secured invitations to the Masters and British Open with his Spanish success, is not in the India field but will launch a final push to try to overhaul McIlroy at the top of the rankings.

Meanwhile Dan Brown, the man the champion defeated in the Madrid play-off, is one of several British golfers in the thick of the competition for a 2026 PGA card.

Northern golfer Parry and the West Country pair of Jordan Smith and Laurie Canter also presently hold spots that would yield a valuable opportunity for the coming season.

Some observers see this development as evidence that the European circuit is now nothing more than a development tour for the larger circuit on the other side of the pond.

However the organization argue it is a crucial system that underpins their tour calendar, a necessary and enticing feature that maximises competitive chances for its participants.

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