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

While the golf superstar expands his competitive experience, the DP World Tour begins the final phase of this year's season-long championship. McIlroy is in the leading spot to claim the season-long title for the fourth season running and seventh time overall.

There are only three more events after the Indian event; the following week's Genesis Championship in South Korea - which concludes the 'Back Nine' phase of the schedule - and then the final two tournaments in the Arabian region.

These high-stakes playoff tournaments in Abu Dhabi and the emirate are exclusively available for the leading seventy and then leading fifty in the standings.

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

Sitting outside the top 70, at first glance it would appear both need high finishes from their trip to the Indian course to keep alive their seasons. But, actually, they are guaranteed in advance of their positions in Abu Dhabi and the final event.

This results from a little publicised but pragmatic loophole whereby participants of Europe's Ryder Cup team are also considered qualified for the upcoming season finale events.

Fleetwood, who won the American playoff series with his stirring victory at the season-ending event in Atlanta, sits ninety-fourth in the European tour's season-long table. Lowry, who sank the putt that retained the Ryder Cup, is 155th.

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

This could question the fairness of a play-off system, which by definition is supposed to bring cut-throat competitive jeopardy, but this scenario also demonstrates realities faced by the headquartered DP World Tour.

The tour is dependent on major sponsors such as the title partner, who are also the naming sponsors of this week's event in India. The tour requires the biggest stars at their biggest events to justify the investment, which amounts to substantial funding.

The talented golfer has experienced one of his best seasons, highlighted by his maiden victory on American soil at the Atlanta course just under two months ago.

He is one of European golf's elite players and, honestly, it would be inconceivable to host the 2025 season finale without him.

Practical considerations overrides competitive integrity, even though the top-ranked player - a local resident - has reserved his best performances for events that do not count on his domestic circuit.

The Englishman has so far played only four European tournaments and failed to place in the top 20 at any tournament; the Middle Eastern event, UK tournament, flagship event or pro-am competition.

Major championships also count on the Race to Dubai and his share of 16th at the Open was his sole high finish in the big four tournaments. However on the US tour he achieved seven top-five finishes.

Fleetwood was also the team's highest contributor at Bethpage last month. It seems absurd for him not to be participating alongside the tour's leading stars at the conclusion of the campaign.

Although in the previous era the American and European circuits were fierce competitors 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 season championship, much of the interest for the remaining schedule will have an US focus.

The narrative will be shaped by the scramble for 10 places on the American circuit for those who do not currently possess playing rights in the US. Penge, with three European victories, is guaranteed of what is generally considered as 'promotion' to the American tour.

The Clitheroe-based pro, who also guaranteed invites to the Augusta National and British Open with his Madrid victory, is not in the tournament lineup but will launch a final push to try to overtake McIlroy at the top of the rankings.

Meanwhile Dan Brown, the man the champion 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 Jordan Smith and Laurie Canter also currently occupy spots that would yield a golden ticket for the coming season.

Some observers view this scenario as proof that the European circuit is now nothing more than a development tour for the larger circuit on the American continent.

But the organization argue it is a crucial system that underpins their schedule, a essential and enticing feature that optimizes playing opportunities for its participants.

Undoubtedly this is the time of the year where the realities and compromises of men's professional golf seem at their clearest display.