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The Northern Irish golfer breaks new ground by playing in the Indian tournament this week as he makes his comeback to competition for the initial occasion since the Ryder Cup.

As the golf superstar expands his competitive experience, the DP World Tour begins the closing stage of this year's season-long championship. McIlroy is in the leading spot to secure the annual championship for the fourth season running and seventh time overall.

There are only three more events after the India Championship; the following week's Genesis tournament in Korean venue - which concludes the 'Back Nine' phase of the schedule - and then the last two competitions in the Middle East.

These particular high-stakes playoff tournaments in Abu Dhabi and the emirate are exclusively available for the top 70 and then leading fifty in the season rankings.

But for players such as Fleetwood and Lowry, who are also in this tournament lineup in India, there is reduced stress than one would expect.

Comfortably below the seventieth position, at initial inspection it would seem both need high finishes 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 results from a little publicised but pragmatic loophole whereby members of the European squad are also deemed eligible for next month's season finale events.

Fleetwood, who won the PGA Tour's play-offs with his stirring win at the season-ending event in Georgia, sits ninety-fourth in the continental circuit's season-long table. Lowry, who made the winning stroke that secured the team trophy, is 155th.

Additional European team-mates who can also qualify are Aberg (seventy-second) and Sepp Straka (147th).

This might question the integrity of a play-off system, which by definition is supposed to bring intense competitive jeopardy, but this scenario also demonstrates practical considerations faced by the Wentworth-based European circuit.

The tour is dependent on big backers such as the title partner, who are also the naming sponsors of this week's event in India. The tour requires the biggest stars at their biggest events to validate the financial commitment, which amounts to millions of dollars.

The talented golfer has enjoyed one of his best seasons, highlighted by his first win on US territory at the Atlanta course just under two months ago.

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

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

Fleetwood has to date played only four DP World Tour events and failed to place in the leading twenty at any of them; the Middle Eastern event, UK tournament, BMW PGA Championship or pro-am competition.

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. But 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 ridiculous for him not to be taking his place alongside the tour's leading stars at the conclusion of the campaign.

While in the past the American and European circuits were deadly rivals they are now inextricably linked thanks to the cooperative partnership that underpins 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 Race to Dubai, much of the attention for the remaining schedule will have an American bias.

The narrative will be driven by the scramble for 10 places on the American circuit for those who do not currently possess playing rights in the United States. The rising star, with three European victories, is guaranteed of what is generally considered as 'promotion' to the US circuit.

The Lancashire golfer, who also guaranteed invites to the Augusta National and British Open with his Spanish success, is not in the tournament lineup but will launch a last effort to try to overhaul the leader at the peak of the rankings.

And Dan Brown, the player the champion defeated in the Madrid play-off, is one of four other Britons in the midst of the battle for a future US tour card.

Northern golfer John Parry and the West Country pair of Smith and Canter also presently hold positions that would provide a valuable opportunity for next year.

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

But the DP World Tour maintain it is a vital mechanism that underpins their schedule, a necessary and enticing element that maximises competitive chances for its participants.

Certainly this is the season period where the practical aspects and necessary adjustments of elite golf competition seem at their clearest display.