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The Northern Irish golfer ventures into new territory by competing in India this week as he returns to action for the initial occasion since the Ryder Cup.

As the golf superstar expands his competitive experience, the European golf circuit enters the closing stage of this year's Race to Dubai. McIlroy is in the leading spot to secure the annual championship for the fourth season running and seventh occasion in total.

This includes only three more events following the Indian event; the following week's Genesis tournament in South Korea - which concludes the 'Back Nine' phase of the tour calendar - and then the last two competitions in the Middle East.

These high-stakes playoff tournaments in the UAE capital and Dubai 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 India, there is reduced stress than one would expect.

Comfortably outside the seventieth position, at initial inspection it would appear both need high finishes from their trip to the Indian course to extend their seasons. Yet, actually, they are guaranteed in advance of their positions in Abu Dhabi and the final event.

This is due to a little publicised but practical exception whereby members of the European squad are also deemed qualified for next month's season finale events.

The English golfer, who triumphed in the PGA Tour's play-offs with his impressive victory at the season-ending event in Atlanta, sits 94th in the continental circuit's season-long table. The Irish champion, who sank the putt that secured the Ryder Cup, is one hundred fifty-fifth.

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

This might question the fairness of a playoff structure, which by definition is supposed to bring cut-throat competitive jeopardy, but this scenario also demonstrates realities faced by the headquartered European circuit.

The tour is dependent on big backers such as the title partner, who are also the title sponsors of this week's event in India. The tour requires the biggest stars at their biggest events to justify the financial commitment, which amounts to substantial funding.

The talented golfer has enjoyed one of his best campaigns, highlighted by his first win on American soil at East Lake just under two months ago.

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

Common sense overrides competitive integrity, even though the top-ranked player - a local resident - has saved his best performances for tournaments that do not qualify on his home tour.

Fleetwood has to date played only four DP World Tour events and failed to place in the leading twenty at any tournament; the Middle Eastern event, UK tournament, BMW PGA Championship or Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

Major championships also contribute on the season standings and his share of 16th at the Open was his only top 20 in the big four tournaments. However on the US tour he enjoyed seven placements in the top five.

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

Although in the previous era the PGA and European tours were fierce competitors they are now closely connected thanks to the cooperative partnership that underpins DP World Tour prize funds.

While the English golfer, recent champion of the Spanish Open, has moved into close pursuit as his nearest challenger at the summit of the Race to Dubai, much of the attention for the remaining schedule will have an American bias.

The storyline will be driven by the competition for 10 places on the PGA Tour for those who do not already have tour cards in the US. The rising star, with three DPWT wins, is guaranteed of what is generally considered as advancement to the US circuit.

The Clitheroe-based pro, who also guaranteed invitations 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 McIlroy at the peak of the rankings.

Meanwhile the English competitor, the man the champion defeated in the Madrid play-off, is one of four other Britons in the midst of the battle for a future US tour card.

Yorkshireman John Parry and the West Country pair of Smith and Canter also currently occupy spots that would provide a golden ticket for the coming season.

Certain analysts see this scenario as proof that the European circuit is now essentially a development tour for the larger circuit on the American continent.

However the DP World Tour argue it is a vital mechanism that supports their tour calendar, a essential and attractive feature that optimizes playing opportunities for its members.

Certainly this is the time of the year where the practical aspects and compromises of elite golf competition seem at their clearest display.