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Rory McIlroy ventures into new territory by competing in the Indian tournament this week as he makes his comeback to action for the first time since the prestigious team event.

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 pole position to secure the season-long title for the fourth season running and seventh time overall.

This includes only three more events after the India Championship; the subsequent week's Genesis tournament in Korean venue - which wraps up the second half of the schedule - and then the last two competitions in the Middle East.

These big money playoff tournaments in the UAE capital and Dubai 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 the subcontinent, there is reduced stress than one would expect.

Sitting below the seventieth position, at first glance it would seem both need strong performances from their visit to the Indian course to keep alive their campaigns. Yet, actually, they are already assured of their places in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

This is due to a little publicised but practical loophole whereby members of the European squad are also deemed qualified for the upcoming season finale events.

The English golfer, who triumphed in the PGA Tour's play-offs with his impressive win at the season-ending event in Atlanta, sits ninety-fourth in the continental circuit's season-long table. Lowry, who sank the putt that retained the team trophy, is one hundred fifty-fifth.

Other European team-mates who can potentially benefit are Ludvig Aberg (72nd) and Straka (one hundred forty-seventh).

This could question the integrity of a playoff structure, which by definition is supposed to bring intense high-stakes drama, but this situation also illustrates realities faced by the Wentworth-based DP World Tour.

They are dependent on major sponsors such as DP World, who are also the naming sponsors of this current tournament in the Asian nation. The tour requires the biggest stars at their biggest events to justify the investment, which runs to millions of dollars.

Fleetwood has experienced one of his most successful seasons, capped by his first win on US territory at the Atlanta course just under eight weeks past.

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

Practical considerations overrides competitive integrity, even though the world number five - a local resident - has saved his strongest showings for tournaments that do not count on his home tour.

The Englishman has to date played only four DP World Tour events and been unable to place in the leading twenty at any of them; the Middle Eastern event, Scottish Open, BMW PGA Championship or Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

Major championships also count on the Race to Dubai 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 enjoyed seven top-five finishes.

The European star was also Europe's top points scorer at the New York course last month. It would be absurd for him not to be taking his place alongside the circuit's top performers at the end of the campaign.

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.

While the English golfer, recent champion of the Open De Espana, has positioned himself in McIlroy's wing mirrors as his closest rival at the summit of the season championship, much of the interest for the remaining schedule will have an US focus.

The storyline will be shaped by the competition for 10 places on the PGA Tour for those who do not already have tour cards in the United States. Penge, with three European victories, is guaranteed of what is widely regarded as 'promotion' to the US circuit.

The Lancashire golfer, who also secured invites to the Augusta National 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 peak of the rankings.

Meanwhile the English competitor, the player Penge defeated in the Spanish playoff, is one of four other Britons in the midst of the battle for a future US tour card.

Northern golfer John Parry and the Bath duo of Smith and Laurie Canter also presently hold spots that would yield a golden ticket for the coming season.

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

But the DP World Tour argue it is a vital mechanism that supports their schedule, a necessary and enticing feature that maximises playing opportunities for its participants.

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