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The Northern Irish golfer breaks new ground by competing in India this week as he makes his comeback to action for the first time since the Ryder Cup.

While the golf superstar expands his golfing horizons, the European golf circuit 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 consecutive year and seventh time overall.

This includes only three additional tournaments after the Indian event; the subsequent week's Genesis Championship in Korean venue - which wraps up the 'Back Nine' phase of the schedule - and then the final two tournaments in the Middle East.

These particular high-stakes playoff tournaments in the UAE capital and the emirate are reserved for the leading seventy and then leading fifty in the standings.

But for players such as Fleetwood and Lowry, who are also in this tournament lineup in the subcontinent, there is reduced stress than you might imagine.

Sitting outside the top 70, at first glance it would seem both require high finishes from their trip to the Delhi Golf Club to extend their campaigns. Yet, actually, they are guaranteed in advance of their places in the UAE and the final event.

This results from a rarely discussed but practical exception whereby participants of Europe's Ryder Cup team are also deemed qualified for next month's closing tournaments.

Fleetwood, who triumphed in the PGA Tour's play-offs with his impressive victory at August's Tour Championship in Atlanta, sits ninety-fourth in the European tour's annual rankings. The Irish champion, who made the winning stroke that secured the team trophy, is one hundred fifty-fifth.

Additional squad members who can potentially benefit are Aberg (72nd) and Straka (one hundred forty-seventh).

This could question the integrity of a playoff structure, which by nature is intended to bring intense competitive jeopardy, but this situation also demonstrates practical considerations faced by the Wentworth-based European circuit.

The tour is dependent on major sponsors such as DP World, who are also the naming sponsors of this week's event in India. They need the biggest stars at their biggest events to justify the financial commitment, which amounts to substantial funding.

Fleetwood has enjoyed one of his most successful campaigns, highlighted by his maiden victory on US territory at the Atlanta course just under two months ago.

He is one of the continent's superstars and, honestly, it would be unthinkable to stage the 2025 season finale without him.

Common sense overrides pure competition, even though the top-ranked player - a local resident - has reserved his best performances for events that do not count on his home tour.

Fleetwood has so far played only four DP World Tour events and been unable to finish in the leading twenty 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 sixteenth-place finish at the British Open was his only top 20 in the big four tournaments. However on the American-based circuit he achieved seven placements in the top five.

The European star was also Europe's top points scorer at Bethpage last month. It would be ridiculous for him not to be participating with the tour's leading stars at the conclusion of the season.

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 prize funds.

As the English golfer, last week's winner of the Spanish Open, has moved into McIlroy's wing mirrors as his closest rival at the summit of the Race to Dubai, much of the interest for the remaining schedule will have an US focus.

The narrative will be shaped by the competition for ten spots on the American circuit for those who do not already have tour cards in the United States. Penge, with three DPWT wins, is assured of what is generally considered as advancement to the US circuit.

The Clitheroe-based pro, who also secured invitations to the Augusta National and Open with his Madrid victory, is not in the tournament lineup but will mount a final push to try to overhaul the leader at the peak of the standings.

And Dan Brown, the man Penge defeated in the Madrid play-off, is one of four other Britons in the thick of the battle 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 valuable opportunity for next year.

Some observers see this development as evidence that the DP World Tour is now nothing more than a feeder for big brother on the other side of the pond.

But the DP World Tour maintain it is a vital mechanism that underpins their tour calendar, a necessary and attractive element that maximises playing opportunities for its participants.

Certainly this is the season period where the practical aspects and compromises of men's professional golf seem at their most evident.