🔗 Share this article

Rory McIlroy breaks new ground by competing in the Indian tournament this week as he makes his comeback to action for the initial occasion since the prestigious team event.

While the Northern Irishman widens his golfing horizons, the DP World Tour enters the final phase 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 time overall.

There are only three additional tournaments following the India Championship; the following week's Genesis tournament in South Korea - which wraps up the second half of the schedule - and then the last two competitions in the Arabian region.

These particular big money 'play-off' events in the UAE capital and the emirate are reserved for the top 70 and then top 50 in the season rankings.

However for players such as Fleetwood and Shane Lowry, who are also in this tournament lineup in India, there is less pressure than one would expect.

Comfortably below the top 70, at first glance it would seem both need strong performances from their trip to the Indian course to keep alive their seasons. But, in fact, they are guaranteed in advance of their places in the UAE and Dubai.

This is due to a rarely discussed but pragmatic loophole whereby participants of Europe's Ryder Cup team are also deemed eligible for next month's closing tournaments.

The English golfer, who triumphed in the American playoff series with his impressive victory at August's Tour Championship in Georgia, sits 94th in the continental circuit's season-long table. Lowry, who sank the putt that retained the team trophy, is 155th.

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

This might challenge the integrity of a play-off system, which by nature is supposed to bring intense competitive jeopardy, but this scenario also illustrates realities 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 current tournament in the Asian nation. They need the top players at their biggest events to validate the financial commitment, which runs to substantial funding.

Fleetwood has experienced one of his best seasons, capped by his maiden victory on American soil at East Lake just under two months ago.

Fleetwood represents one of European golf's superstars and, honestly, it would be inconceivable to host the 2025 season finale without him.

Common sense overrides competitive integrity, even though the top-ranked player - a Dubai resident - has saved his best performances for events that do not qualify on his domestic circuit.

The Englishman has so far played only four DP World Tour events and failed to finish in the top 20 at any tournament; the Dubai Desert Classic, UK tournament, BMW PGA Championship or Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

The majors also count on the season standings and his sixteenth-place finish at the Open was his sole high finish in the big four tournaments. But on the American-based circuit he enjoyed seven top-five finishes.

The European star was also the team's highest contributor at the New York course last month. It would be absurd for him not to be taking his place alongside the tour's leading stars at the end of the season.

While in the previous era the American and European circuits were deadly rivals they are now inextricably linked thanks to the cooperative partnership that underpins DP World Tour financial rewards.

As the English golfer, last week's winner of the Spanish Open, has moved into close pursuit as his nearest challenger at the summit of the Race to Dubai, much of the attention for the rest of the season will have an US focus.

The narrative will be shaped by the competition for 10 places on the PGA Tour for those who do not currently possess tour cards in the United States. The rising star, with three DPWT wins, is guaranteed of what is generally considered as 'promotion' to the American tour.

The Clitheroe-based pro, who also guaranteed invitations to the Augusta National and Open with his Madrid victory, is not in the tournament lineup but will mount a last effort to try to overhaul the leader at the top of the rankings.

Meanwhile Dan Brown, the man the champion defeated in the Spanish playoff, is one of several British golfers in the thick of the battle for a future US tour card.

Yorkshireman John Parry and the Bath duo of Smith and Laurie Canter also currently occupy positions that would provide a valuable opportunity for next year.

Certain analysts see this development as evidence that the European circuit is now nothing more than a development tour for big brother on the American continent.

But the organization argue it is a vital mechanism that supports their schedule, a essential and enticing element that optimizes playing opportunities for its members.

Undoubtedly this is the season period where the practical aspects and compromises of elite golf competition seem at their most evident.