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The Northern Irish golfer ventures into new territory by competing in India this week as he makes his comeback to competition for the first time since the Ryder Cup.

As the Northern Irishman widens his competitive experience, the DP World Tour begins the closing stage of this year's season-long championship. The world-class golfer is in pole position to secure the annual championship for the fourth season running and seventh time overall.

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

These particular big money playoff tournaments in Abu Dhabi and the emirate are reserved for the leading seventy and then leading fifty in the standings.

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

Comfortably below the seventieth position, at first glance it would appear both need high finishes from their visit to the Indian course to extend their seasons. But, in fact, they are already assured of their positions in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

This is due to a little publicised but pragmatic exception whereby members of the European squad are also deemed eligible for the upcoming closing tournaments.

The English golfer, who triumphed in the American playoff series with his stirring win at the season-ending event in Atlanta, lies ninety-fourth in the continental circuit's annual rankings. Lowry, who made the winning stroke that retained the team trophy, is one hundred fifty-fifth.

Other squad members who can also qualify are Aberg (72nd) and Straka (147th).

This could challenge the fairness of a playoff structure, which by nature is intended to bring intense competitive jeopardy, but this scenario also demonstrates realities faced by the headquartered DP World Tour.

The tour is reliant on big backers such as the title partner, who are also the naming sponsors of this week's event in India. They need the biggest stars at their premier tournaments to justify the investment, which runs to substantial funding.

Fleetwood has enjoyed one of his most successful seasons, highlighted by his first win on US territory at East Lake just under eight weeks past.

He is one of the continent's superstars and, honestly, it would be inconceivable to stage the upcoming season climax without him.

Practical considerations overrides competitive integrity, even though the world number five - a local resident - has reserved his strongest showings for events that do not qualify on his home tour.

The Englishman has so far played only four European tournaments and failed to finish in the leading twenty at any tournament; the Dubai Desert Classic, UK tournament, BMW PGA Championship or Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

Major championships also contribute on the Race to Dubai and his sixteenth-place finish at the British Open was his only top 20 in the major events. However on the US tour he enjoyed seven top-five finishes.

Fleetwood was also the team's highest contributor at the New York course last month. It seems ridiculous for him not to be taking his place alongside the tour's leading stars at the conclusion of the campaign.

Although in the past the PGA and European tours were fierce competitors they are now closely connected thanks to the strategic alliance that underpins DP World Tour financial rewards.

While Marco Penge, last week's winner of the Spanish Open, has moved into McIlroy's wing mirrors as his nearest challenger at the top of the Race to Dubai, much of the attention for the rest of the season will have an US focus.

The narrative will be shaped by the competition for 10 places on the PGA Tour for those who do not already have playing rights in the United States. Penge, with three DPWT wins, is guaranteed of what is widely regarded as advancement to the US circuit.

The Lancashire golfer, who also secured invitations to the Masters 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 peak of the standings.

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

Yorkshireman John Parry and the Bath duo of Smith and Laurie Canter also currently occupy positions that would yield a golden ticket for next year.

Some observers view this development 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.

But the organization argue it is a crucial system that underpins their tour calendar, a essential and enticing element that maximises competitive chances for its members.

Undoubtedly this is the time of the year where the realities and compromises of elite golf competition seem at their clearest display.