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Rory McIlroy breaks new ground by playing in India this week as he makes his comeback to competition for the initial occasion since the prestigious team event.

As the Northern Irishman widens his golfing horizons, the European golf circuit enters the closing stage of this year's Race to Dubai. The world-class golfer is in pole position to secure the annual championship for the fourth consecutive year and seventh time overall.

There are only three additional tournaments following the India Championship; the subsequent week's Genesis Championship in Korean venue - which wraps up the second half of the schedule - and then the final two tournaments in the Arabian region.

These particular high-stakes playoff tournaments in the UAE capital and the emirate are exclusively available for the leading seventy and then leading fifty in the standings.

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

Comfortably below the top 70, at first glance it would appear both need high finishes from their visit to the Indian course to extend their campaigns. Yet, in fact, they are already assured of their positions in Abu Dhabi and the final event.

This results from a rarely discussed but practical exception whereby members of Europe's Ryder Cup team are also considered eligible for the upcoming closing tournaments.

The English golfer, who triumphed in the American playoff series with his stirring victory at August's Tour Championship in Georgia, sits 94th in the European tour's annual rankings. Lowry, who made the putt that retained the Ryder Cup, is 155th.

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

This might challenge the integrity of a playoff structure, which by nature is supposed to bring intense competitive jeopardy, but this situation also demonstrates practical considerations faced by the headquartered European circuit.

They are dependent on major sponsors such as DP World, who are also the title sponsors of this current tournament in India. The tour requires the top players at their biggest events to validate the financial commitment, which amounts to substantial funding.

Fleetwood has enjoyed one of his best seasons, capped by his maiden victory on American soil at East Lake just under eight weeks past.

He is one of European golf's superstars and, frankly, it would be unthinkable to stage the upcoming season climax without him.

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

The Englishman has to date played only four European tournaments and been unable to finish in the leading twenty at any tournament; the Dubai Desert Classic, UK tournament, BMW PGA Championship or pro-am competition.

The majors also contribute on the season standings and his share of 16th at the British Open was his sole high finish in the major events. However on the US tour he achieved seven top-five finishes.

Fleetwood was also Europe's top points scorer at the New York course last month. It seems absurd for him not to be participating with the circuit's top performers at the conclusion 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 European tour financial rewards.

As Marco Penge, recent champion of the Spanish Open, has positioned himself in McIlroy's wing mirrors as his nearest challenger at the top of the season championship, much of the interest for the rest of the season will have an American bias.

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

The Lancashire golfer, who also secured invitations to the Masters and Open with his Madrid victory, is not in the India field but will mount a final push to try to overtake the leader at the top of the standings.

And the English competitor, the player Penge defeated in the Spanish playoff, is one of several British golfers in the midst of the competition for a 2026 PGA card.

Northern golfer John Parry and the Bath duo of Smith and Canter also currently occupy spots that would yield a golden ticket for next year.

Some observers view this scenario as evidence that the European circuit is now essentially a development tour for the larger circuit on the American continent.

But the organization argue it is a vital mechanism that underpins their schedule, a necessary and attractive feature that maximises playing opportunities for its participants.

Certainly this is the time of the year where the practical aspects and necessary adjustments of men's professional golf seem at their most evident.