🔗 Share this article

Rory McIlroy breaks new ground by playing in India this week as he returns to competition for the initial occasion since the prestigious team event.

As the Northern Irishman expands his golfing horizons, the DP World Tour begins the final phase of this year's Race to Dubai. McIlroy is in pole position to claim the annual championship for the fourth season running and seventh time overall.

There are only three additional tournaments following the Indian event; the following week's Genesis Championship in South Korea - which wraps up the second half of the tour calendar - and then the final two tournaments in the Arabian region.

These particular high-stakes 'play-off' events in Abu Dhabi and Dubai are exclusively available for the leading seventy and then leading fifty in the standings.

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

Sitting outside the seventieth position, at first glance it would seem both need high finishes from their trip to the Delhi Golf Club to extend their campaigns. But, actually, they are already assured of their positions in the UAE and the final event.

This is due to a rarely discussed but practical loophole whereby participants of Europe's Ryder Cup team are also deemed eligible for the upcoming closing tournaments.

Fleetwood, who won the American playoff series with his impressive victory at the season-ending event in Atlanta, sits ninety-fourth in the continental circuit's season-long table. The Irish champion, who sank the winning stroke that retained the Ryder Cup, is one hundred fifty-fifth.

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

This might challenge the integrity of a playoff structure, which by nature is supposed to bring intense competitive jeopardy, but this scenario also demonstrates realities faced by the Wentworth-based European circuit.

They are reliant on major sponsors such as DP World, who are also the title sponsors of this week's event in the Asian nation. The tour requires the biggest stars at their premier tournaments to validate the investment, which amounts to millions of dollars.

Fleetwood has experienced one of his most successful campaigns, highlighted by his maiden victory on US territory at East Lake just under eight weeks past.

He is one of the continent's elite players and, frankly, it would be inconceivable to stage the 2025 season finale without him.

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

The Englishman has so far played only four European tournaments and been unable to finish in the top 20 at any tournament; the Dubai Desert Classic, Scottish Open, 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 sole high finish in the big four tournaments. But on the US tour he achieved seven placements in the top five.

The European star was also Europe's top points scorer at the New York course last month. It would be ridiculous for him not to be taking his place with the circuit's top performers at the conclusion of the season.

Although in the past the American and European circuits were deadly rivals they are now inextricably linked thanks to the cooperative partnership that supports European tour prize funds.

While Marco Penge, recent champion of the Spanish Open, has moved into McIlroy's wing mirrors as his closest rival at the top of the Race to Dubai, much of the interest for the rest of the season will have an US focus.

The narrative will be shaped by the competition for 10 places on the American circuit for those who do not currently possess tour cards in the US. The rising star, with three European victories, is assured of what is generally considered as 'promotion' to the US circuit.

The Lancashire golfer, who also guaranteed invitations to the Augusta National and Open with his Madrid victory, is not in the India field but will mount a last effort to try to overtake the leader at the top of the rankings.

Meanwhile the English competitor, the player Penge defeated in the Spanish playoff, is one of several British golfers in the thick of the battle for a future US tour card.

Yorkshireman John Parry and the Bath duo of Jordan Smith and Canter also currently occupy positions that would yield a valuable opportunity for the coming season.

Certain analysts see 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.

However the organization maintain it is a crucial system that supports their tour calendar, a necessary and attractive feature that maximises playing opportunities for its members.

Certainly this is the time of the year where the realities and necessary adjustments of elite golf competition seem at their most evident.