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Rory McIlroy breaks new ground by competing in India this week as he makes his comeback to competition for the initial occasion since the Ryder Cup.

As the Northern Irishman widens his competitive experience, the European golf circuit enters the closing stage of this year's season-long championship. McIlroy is in pole position to claim the annual championship for the fourth consecutive year and seventh time overall.

This includes only three more events after the India Championship; the following week's Genesis tournament in South Korea - which wraps up the second half of the schedule - and then the final two tournaments in the Middle East.

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

However for the likes of Fleetwood and Shane Lowry, who are also in this tournament lineup in India, there is reduced stress than you might imagine.

Sitting below the top 70, at first glance it would seem 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 is due to a little publicised but practical exception whereby members of Europe's Ryder Cup team are also deemed eligible for next month's season finale events.

The English golfer, who won the American playoff series with his impressive win at the season-ending event in Atlanta, sits 94th in the continental circuit's season-long table. The Irish champion, who sank the winning stroke that secured the team trophy, is 155th.

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

This might challenge the fairness of a play-off system, which by definition is intended to bring cut-throat high-stakes drama, but this situation also illustrates realities faced by the Wentworth-based DP World Tour.

The tour is dependent on big backers such as the title partner, who are also the naming sponsors of this current tournament in the Asian nation. They need the top players at their premier tournaments to justify the investment, which amounts to millions of dollars.

Fleetwood has experienced one of his best campaigns, highlighted by his maiden victory on US territory at East Lake just under two months ago.

He is one of European golf's superstars 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 Dubai resident - has reserved his strongest showings for events that do not count on his domestic circuit.

The Englishman has so far played only four DP World Tour events and been unable to finish in the leading twenty at any tournament; the Dubai Desert Classic, Scottish Open, flagship event or Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

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 American-based circuit he enjoyed seven top-five finishes.

Fleetwood was also the team's highest contributor at Bethpage last month. It seems ridiculous for him not to be taking his place with the circuit's top performers at the conclusion of the season.

While in the past the PGA and European tours were deadly rivals they are now closely connected thanks to the cooperative partnership that underpins DP World Tour prize funds.

While Marco Penge, recent champion of the Open De Espana, has positioned himself in McIlroy's wing mirrors as his nearest challenger at the summit of the season championship, much of the attention for the rest of the season will have an US focus.

The storyline will be shaped by the competition for ten spots on the PGA Tour for those who do not currently possess tour cards in the US. Penge, with three European victories, 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 British Open with his Madrid victory, is not in the India field but will mount a final push to try to overtake McIlroy at the top of the rankings.

Meanwhile Dan Brown, the man Penge defeated in the Madrid play-off, is one of four other Britons in the midst of the battle for a future US tour card.

Yorkshireman John Parry and the West Country pair of Jordan Smith and Canter also presently hold positions that would provide a golden ticket for next year.

Certain analysts view this development as evidence that the European circuit is now nothing more than a development tour for big brother on the other side of the pond.

However the DP World Tour maintain it is a crucial system that underpins their schedule, a essential and attractive feature that optimizes playing opportunities for its members.

Certainly this is the time of the year where the practical aspects and compromises of elite golf competition seem at their most evident.