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Rory McIlroy ventures into new territory by playing in India this week as he returns to action for the initial occasion since the prestigious team event.

As the Northern Irishman widens his competitive experience, the DP World Tour enters the closing stage of this year's season-long championship. McIlroy is in pole position to secure the season-long title for the fourth season running and seventh occasion in total.

This includes only three more events following the Indian event; the subsequent week's Genesis Championship in South Korea - which wraps up the second half of the schedule - and then the final two tournaments in the Arabian region.

These particular big money playoff tournaments in the UAE capital and the emirate are exclusively available for the leading seventy and then top 50 in the season rankings.

However for the likes of Tommy Fleetwood and Lowry, who are also in this tournament lineup in the subcontinent, there is reduced stress than you might imagine.

Sitting outside the seventieth position, at first glance it would appear both require strong performances from their visit to the Delhi Golf Club to keep alive their campaigns. Yet, actually, they are already assured of their places in Abu Dhabi and the final event.

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

Fleetwood, who triumphed in the PGA Tour's play-offs with his impressive win at the season-ending event in Atlanta, lies 94th in the European tour's season-long table. Lowry, who made the putt that secured the team trophy, is one hundred fifty-fifth.

Additional European team-mates who can also qualify are Ludvig Aberg (seventy-second) and Straka (one hundred forty-seventh).

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

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

The talented golfer has enjoyed one of his best seasons, capped by his maiden victory 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.

Common sense trumps pure competition, even though the top-ranked player - a local resident - has reserved his best performances for tournaments that do not count on his domestic circuit.

Fleetwood has to date played only four European tournaments and been unable to finish in the leading twenty at any tournament; the Dubai Desert Classic, UK tournament, flagship event or pro-am competition.

Major championships also contribute on the Race to Dubai and his sixteenth-place finish 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.

Fleetwood 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 end of the season.

Although in the past the PGA and European tours were fierce competitors they are now inextricably linked thanks to the strategic alliance that underpins European tour financial rewards.

While the English golfer, last week's winner of the Spanish Open, has positioned himself in close pursuit as his closest rival at the top of the season championship, much of the interest for the remaining schedule will have an US focus.

The narrative will be driven by the competition for 10 places on the American circuit for those who do not already have tour cards in the US. Penge, with three European victories, is assured of what is widely regarded as 'promotion' to the American tour.

The Lancashire golfer, who also secured invites to the Augusta National and British Open with his Spanish success, is not in the tournament lineup but will mount a final push to try to overtake McIlroy at the peak of the rankings.

Meanwhile Dan Brown, the man Penge defeated in the Spanish playoff, is one of four other Britons in the thick of the competition for a future US tour card.

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

Some observers view this scenario as proof that the DP World Tour is now essentially a development tour for the larger circuit on the other side of the pond.

However the organization argue it is a vital mechanism that supports their schedule, a essential and attractive feature that maximises competitive chances for its participants.

Certainly this is the season period where the realities and compromises of elite golf competition seem at their clearest display.