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Rory McIlroy breaks new ground by competing in India this week as he makes his comeback to competition for the first time since the prestigious team event.

While the golf superstar widens his golfing horizons, the European golf circuit enters the closing stage of this year's Race to Dubai. The world-class golfer is in pole position to secure the season-long title for the fourth season running and seventh occasion in total.

This includes only three additional tournaments following the India Championship; the subsequent week's Genesis tournament in South Korea - which wraps up the second half of the schedule - and then the final two tournaments in the Arabian region.

These particular high-stakes 'play-off' events in the UAE capital and the emirate are exclusively available for the leading seventy and then top 50 in the season rankings.

But for the likes of Tommy Fleetwood and Shane Lowry, who are also in this week's field in the subcontinent, there is reduced stress than you might imagine.

Sitting below the seventieth position, at first glance it would appear both need strong performances from their visit to the Indian course to extend their seasons. But, actually, they are guaranteed in advance of their positions in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

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

Fleetwood, who triumphed in the PGA Tour's play-offs with his stirring victory at August's Tour Championship in Georgia, sits ninety-fourth in the continental circuit's season-long table. Lowry, who sank the putt that secured the Ryder Cup, is 155th.

Other squad members who can also qualify are Ludvig Aberg (seventy-second) and Sepp Straka (147th).

This could challenge the integrity of a play-off system, which by nature is supposed to bring cut-throat competitive jeopardy, but this situation also illustrates 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 top players at their premier tournaments to justify the investment, which runs to millions of dollars.

The talented golfer has experienced one of his most successful campaigns, highlighted by his first win on American soil at East Lake just under two months ago.

He is 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 best performances for tournaments that do not count on his home tour.

Fleetwood has to date played only four European tournaments and failed to place in the leading twenty at any tournament; the Middle Eastern event, UK tournament, BMW PGA Championship or Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

Major championships also contribute on the season standings and his sixteenth-place finish at the Open was his sole high finish in the major events. However on the American-based circuit he enjoyed seven top-five finishes.

Fleetwood was also Europe's top points scorer at Bethpage last month. It seems ridiculous for him not to be taking his place with the tour's leading stars at the conclusion of the campaign.

Although in the past the American and European circuits were fierce competitors they are now inextricably linked thanks to the strategic alliance that underpins DP World Tour prize funds.

While Marco Penge, recent champion of the Open De Espana, has moved into close pursuit as his nearest challenger at the summit of the season championship, much of the interest for the remaining schedule will have an American bias.

The narrative will be shaped by the competition for 10 places on the PGA Tour for those who do not already have tour cards in the US. The rising star, with three European victories, is assured of what is widely regarded as 'promotion' to the American tour.

The Lancashire golfer, who also guaranteed invitations to the Masters and Open with his Madrid victory, is not in the India field but will mount a last effort to try to overtake the leader at the top of the standings.

And Dan Brown, the player Penge defeated in the Madrid play-off, is one of several British golfers in the thick of the competition 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 provide a golden ticket for the coming season.

Some observers see this scenario as evidence that the DP World Tour is now essentially a feeder for big brother on the other side of the pond.

However the organization maintain it is a crucial system that supports their tour calendar, a necessary and enticing element that maximises competitive chances for its participants.

Undoubtedly this is the time of the year where the practical aspects and compromises of men's professional golf seem at their most evident.