🔗 Share this article

Rory McIlroy breaks new ground by competing in the Indian tournament this week as he returns to competition for the first time since the Ryder Cup.

While the Northern Irishman widens his competitive experience, the DP World Tour begins the final phase of this year's season-long championship. The world-class golfer is in the leading spot to secure the season-long title for the fourth season running and seventh time overall.

There are only three more events after the Indian event; the subsequent week's Genesis Championship in Korean venue - which concludes the second half of the tour calendar - and then the last two competitions in the Arabian region.

These particular big money playoff tournaments in Abu Dhabi and Dubai are reserved for the top 70 and then top 50 in the season rankings.

But for the likes of Fleetwood and Shane Lowry, who are also in this week's field in the subcontinent, there is reduced stress than one would expect.

Sitting below the seventieth position, at initial inspection it would appear both require high finishes from their trip to the Delhi Golf Club to extend their seasons. But, in fact, they are guaranteed in advance of their positions in the UAE and the final event.

This is due to a little publicised but practical loophole whereby participants of the European squad are also deemed qualified for the upcoming season finale events.

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 European tour's annual rankings. Lowry, 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 (72nd) and Straka (147th).

This could question the integrity of a play-off system, which by definition is intended to bring intense competitive jeopardy, but this situation also demonstrates practical considerations faced by the Wentworth-based DP World Tour.

The tour is dependent on big backers such as DP World, who are also the naming sponsors of this current tournament in India. They need the top players at their biggest events to validate the financial commitment, which runs to millions of dollars.

Fleetwood has experienced one of his best seasons, capped by his first win on American soil at the Atlanta course just under two months ago.

Fleetwood represents one of European golf's elite players and, frankly, it would be inconceivable to stage the upcoming season climax without him.

Common sense overrides competitive integrity, even though the world number five - a local resident - has reserved his strongest showings for tournaments that do not count on his domestic circuit.

Fleetwood has so far played only four European tournaments and failed to place in the top 20 at any of them; the Middle Eastern event, UK tournament, BMW PGA Championship or Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

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

Fleetwood was also the team's highest contributor at Bethpage last month. It would be ridiculous for him not to be participating with the circuit's top performers at the end of the season.

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

While Marco Penge, last week's winner 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 rest of the season will have an US focus.

The storyline will be shaped by the scramble for ten spots on the PGA Tour for those who do not already have tour cards in the United States. The rising star, with three European victories, is guaranteed of what is widely regarded as 'promotion' to the US circuit.

The Clitheroe-based pro, who also guaranteed invites to the Augusta National and Open with his Madrid victory, is not in the India field but will launch a final push to try to overtake the leader at the peak of the rankings.

Meanwhile Dan Brown, the player the champion beat in the Spanish playoff, is one of several British golfers in the thick of the battle for a future US tour card.

Yorkshireman Parry and the Bath duo of Jordan Smith and Laurie Canter also presently hold spots that would yield a valuable opportunity for next year.

Some observers view this development 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 vital mechanism that supports their schedule, a essential and enticing element that optimizes playing opportunities for its participants.

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