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The Northern Irish golfer ventures into new territory by competing in India this week as he returns to action for the initial occasion since the Ryder Cup.

As the golf superstar 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 claim the annual championship for the fourth season running and seventh occasion in total.

There are only three more events following the Indian event; the subsequent week's Genesis tournament in Korean venue - which wraps up the 'Back Nine' phase of the tour calendar - and then the last two competitions in the Arabian region.

These high-stakes 'play-off' events in the UAE capital and Dubai are exclusively available for the top 70 and then leading fifty in the season rankings.

However for players such as Tommy Fleetwood and Lowry, who are also in this tournament lineup in India, there is reduced stress than you might imagine.

Comfortably outside the top 70, at first glance it would appear both need strong performances from their visit to the Delhi Golf Club to keep alive their seasons. Yet, in fact, they are already assured of their positions in the UAE and Dubai.

This is due to a rarely discussed but practical exception whereby members of the European squad are also considered qualified for next month's closing tournaments.

Fleetwood, who triumphed in the PGA Tour's play-offs with his stirring win at the season-ending event in Atlanta, lies ninety-fourth in the continental circuit's annual rankings. The Irish champion, who sank the winning stroke that retained the Ryder Cup, is one hundred fifty-fifth.

Other European team-mates who can also qualify are Ludvig Aberg (seventy-second) and Sepp Straka (one hundred forty-seventh).

This could challenge the integrity of a playoff structure, which by definition is supposed to bring intense competitive jeopardy, but this situation also illustrates realities faced by the Wentworth-based European circuit.

They are dependent on major sponsors such as DP World, who are also the naming sponsors of this current tournament 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 experienced one of his best campaigns, highlighted by his first win on American soil 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 upcoming season climax without him.

Practical considerations overrides competitive integrity, even though the world number five - a Dubai resident - has reserved his best performances for tournaments that do not qualify on his domestic circuit.

Fleetwood has so far played only four European tournaments and failed to place in the leading twenty at any of them; the Middle Eastern event, Scottish Open, BMW PGA Championship or pro-am competition.

The majors also contribute on the Race to Dubai and his share of 16th 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.

Fleetwood was also Europe's top points scorer at the New York course last month. It seems absurd for him not to be taking his place alongside the tour's leading stars at the end of the campaign.

Although in the past the PGA and European tours were deadly rivals they are now inextricably linked thanks to the strategic alliance that underpins DP World Tour financial rewards.

While the English golfer, last week's winner of the Open De Espana, has moved into close pursuit as his nearest challenger at the top of the Race to Dubai, much of the interest for the remaining schedule will have an American bias.

The storyline will be driven by the scramble for 10 places on the American circuit for those who do not currently possess tour cards in the US. The rising star, with three DPWT wins, is assured of what is widely regarded as advancement to the American tour.

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 launch a last effort to try to overhaul McIlroy at the peak of the standings.

Meanwhile the English competitor, the man Penge beat in the Madrid play-off, is one of several British golfers in the thick of the competition for a 2026 PGA card.

Yorkshireman 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.

Certain analysts see this scenario as evidence that the DP World Tour is now nothing more than a development tour for big brother on the other side of the pond.

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

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