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Rory McIlroy ventures into new territory by playing in India this week as he returns to action for the first time since the Ryder Cup.

As the Northern Irishman widens his golfing horizons, the European golf circuit begins the final phase of this year's season-long championship. The world-class golfer is in pole position to secure the season-long title for the fourth season running and seventh time overall.

This includes only three additional tournaments after the Indian event; the following week's Genesis Championship in South Korea - which concludes the second half of the tour calendar - and then the last two competitions in the Arabian region.

These particular big money 'play-off' events in Abu Dhabi and Dubai are exclusively available for the leading seventy and then top 50 in the season rankings.

But for players such as Fleetwood and Shane Lowry, who are also in this week's field in India, there is less pressure than you might imagine.

Comfortably below the top 70, at first glance it would appear both need strong performances from their visit to the Indian course to extend their campaigns. But, in fact, they are already assured of their places in the UAE and Dubai.

This is due to a little publicised but practical loophole whereby participants of Europe's Ryder Cup team are also considered eligible for next month's season finale events.

The English golfer, who won the American playoff series with his impressive win at August's Tour Championship in Atlanta, lies 94th in the continental circuit's annual rankings. Lowry, who made the putt that retained the team trophy, is one hundred fifty-fifth.

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

This could question the fairness of a playoff structure, which by nature is supposed to bring cut-throat high-stakes drama, but this scenario also demonstrates realities faced by the headquartered European circuit.

The tour is dependent on major sponsors such as DP World, who are also the title sponsors of this week's event in India. They need the biggest stars at their biggest events to validate the financial commitment, which runs to substantial funding.

The talented golfer has enjoyed one of his most successful campaigns, highlighted by his maiden victory on US territory at the Atlanta course just under eight weeks past.

He is one of the continent's elite players 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 best performances for tournaments 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 of them; the Middle Eastern event, Scottish Open, BMW PGA Championship or Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

Major championships also contribute on the Race to Dubai and his share of 16th at the British Open was his only top 20 in the big four tournaments. But on the US tour he achieved seven top-five finishes.

The European star 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 tour's leading stars at the end of the season.

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

While Marco Penge, recent champion of the Open De Espana, has moved into McIlroy's wing mirrors as his closest rival at the summit of the season championship, much of the interest for the rest of the season will have an US focus.

The narrative will be driven by the competition for ten spots on the PGA Tour for those who do not already have playing rights in the US. The rising star, with three DPWT wins, is assured of what is generally considered as 'promotion' to the US circuit.

The Lancashire golfer, who also secured invitations to the Augusta National and British Open with his Madrid victory, is not in the tournament lineup but will mount a last effort to try to overtake McIlroy at the peak of the rankings.

And Dan Brown, the man the champion defeated in the Spanish playoff, is one of several British golfers in the midst of the competition for a future US tour card.

Yorkshireman John Parry and the West Country pair of Smith and Canter also currently occupy positions that would provide a golden ticket for the coming season.

Some observers see this development as evidence that the DP World Tour is now essentially a feeder for the larger circuit on the other side of the pond.

However the DP World Tour argue it is a crucial system that supports their schedule, a necessary and attractive feature that optimizes competitive chances for its members.

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