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Rory McIlroy ventures into new territory by competing in India this week as he returns to competition for the initial occasion since the Ryder Cup.

While the golf superstar widens his competitive experience, the European golf circuit begins the final phase of this year's Race to Dubai. The world-class golfer is in the leading spot to secure the annual championship for the fourth consecutive year and seventh time overall.

This includes only three more events following the Indian event; the subsequent week's Genesis tournament in South Korea - which concludes the 'Back Nine' phase of the schedule - and then the final two tournaments in the Arabian region.

These high-stakes playoff tournaments in the UAE capital and Dubai are reserved for the top 70 and then top 50 in the season rankings.

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

Sitting outside the top 70, at initial inspection it would appear both require strong performances from their visit to the Delhi Golf Club to keep alive their seasons. But, actually, they are already assured of their positions in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

This is due to a little publicised but practical loophole whereby members of Europe's Ryder Cup team are also considered qualified for the upcoming closing tournaments.

Fleetwood, who won the American playoff series with his stirring win at August's Tour Championship in Atlanta, sits ninety-fourth in the European tour's season-long table. Lowry, who sank the winning stroke that retained the Ryder Cup, is 155th.

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

This might challenge the fairness of a playoff structure, which by definition is supposed to bring intense high-stakes drama, but this scenario also demonstrates realities faced by the Wentworth-based European circuit.

The tour is dependent on big backers such as DP World, who are also the naming sponsors of this current tournament in India. They need the biggest stars at their premier tournaments to validate the financial commitment, which amounts to millions of dollars.

Fleetwood has enjoyed one of his best campaigns, capped by his first win on US territory at East Lake just under two months ago.

Fleetwood represents one of the continent's superstars and, honestly, it would be inconceivable to host the 2025 season finale 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 count on his home tour.

The Englishman has to date played only four DP World Tour events and failed to finish in the leading twenty at any tournament; the Middle Eastern event, Scottish Open, flagship event or Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

The majors also contribute on the season standings and his share of 16th at the Open was his only top 20 in the big four tournaments. But on the US tour he achieved seven placements in the top five.

Fleetwood was also the team's highest contributor at the New York course last month. It seems absurd 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 deadly rivals they are now closely connected thanks to the cooperative partnership that supports European tour financial rewards.

While Marco Penge, last week's winner of the Spanish Open, has moved into McIlroy's wing mirrors as his closest rival 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 shaped by the scramble for ten spots on the PGA Tour 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 advancement to the US circuit.

The Lancashire golfer, who also guaranteed invites to the Masters 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.

Meanwhile Dan Brown, the player the champion beat in the Spanish playoff, is one of four other Britons in the midst of the battle for a future US tour card.

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

Some observers view this development as proof that the DP World Tour is now essentially a development tour for the larger circuit on the other side of the pond.

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

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