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Rory McIlroy ventures into new territory by playing in India this week as he returns to competition for the initial occasion since the Ryder Cup.

As the Northern Irishman widens his golfing horizons, the DP World Tour begins the closing stage of this year's season-long championship. The world-class golfer is in pole position to claim the annual championship for the fourth consecutive year and seventh occasion in total.

There are only three additional tournaments after the India Championship; the following week's Genesis tournament in Korean venue - which wraps up the 'Back Nine' phase of the tour calendar - and then the last two competitions in the Arabian region.

These big money playoff tournaments in the UAE capital and Dubai 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 tournament lineup in the subcontinent, there is less pressure than one would expect.

Sitting outside the seventieth position, at initial inspection it would seem both need strong performances 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 Dubai.

This results from a rarely discussed but practical exception whereby members of the European squad are also deemed qualified for next month's season finale events.

The English golfer, who won the American playoff series with his impressive victory at August's Tour Championship in Georgia, sits 94th in the continental circuit's season-long table. Lowry, who made the winning stroke that retained the team trophy, is 155th.

Additional European team-mates who can also qualify are Ludvig Aberg (seventy-second) and Straka (147th).

This might challenge the fairness of a playoff structure, which by definition is supposed to bring cut-throat competitive jeopardy, but this scenario also illustrates realities faced by the headquartered DP World Tour.

The tour is dependent on big backers such as DP World, who are also the title sponsors of this current tournament in India. The tour requires the top players at their premier tournaments to justify the investment, which amounts to substantial funding.

The talented golfer has experienced one of his most successful campaigns, capped by his maiden victory on US territory at the Atlanta course just under eight weeks past.

He is one of European golf's superstars and, frankly, it would be unthinkable to host the upcoming season climax without him.

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

Fleetwood has so far played only four DP World Tour events and failed to finish in the leading twenty at any tournament; the Middle Eastern event, Scottish Open, BMW PGA Championship or pro-am competition.

The majors also count on the season standings and his share of 16th at the British Open was his sole high finish in the major events. However on the US tour he enjoyed seven placements in the top five.

The European star was also Europe's top points scorer at the New York course 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 previous era the American and European circuits were deadly rivals they are now closely connected thanks to the cooperative partnership that underpins European tour prize funds.

As the English golfer, recent champion of the Spanish Open, has moved into close pursuit as his closest rival at the top of the Race to Dubai, much of the interest for the remaining schedule will have an American bias.

The narrative will be driven by the competition for ten spots on the American circuit for those who do not currently possess tour cards in the United States. The rising star, with three European victories, is guaranteed of what is generally considered as 'promotion' to the US circuit.

The Lancashire golfer, who also guaranteed invitations to the Masters and Open with his Madrid victory, is not in the India field but will mount a final push to try to overhaul the leader at the top of the standings.

And Dan Brown, the man the champion defeated in the Spanish playoff, is one of four other Britons in the thick of the battle for a future US tour card.

Northern golfer Parry and the West Country pair of Jordan Smith and Laurie Canter also presently hold positions that would provide a valuable opportunity for the coming season.

Certain analysts see this development as evidence that the European circuit is now essentially a development tour for big brother on the other side of the pond.

However the DP World Tour argue it is a vital mechanism that underpins their tour calendar, a necessary and attractive feature that maximises competitive chances for its members.

Certainly this is the season period where the realities and compromises of men's professional golf seem at their clearest display.