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Rory McIlroy breaks new ground by competing in the Indian tournament this week as he makes his comeback to competition for the initial occasion since the Ryder Cup.

As the golf superstar expands his golfing horizons, the European golf circuit enters the final phase of this year's Race to Dubai. The world-class golfer is in pole position to secure the annual championship for the fourth season running and seventh time overall.

This includes only three additional tournaments after the India Championship; the subsequent week's Genesis Championship in Korean venue - which concludes the second half of the schedule - and then the final two tournaments in the Arabian region.

These high-stakes playoff tournaments in the UAE capital and Dubai are exclusively available for the top 70 and then top 50 in the standings.

But for the likes of Fleetwood and Lowry, who are also in this week's field in India, there is reduced stress than one would expect.

Comfortably outside the top 70, at initial inspection it would appear both need strong performances from their trip to the Indian course to keep alive their campaigns. But, actually, they are already assured of their places in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

This is due to a little publicised but practical exception whereby members of the European squad are also considered qualified for the upcoming season finale events.

Fleetwood, who triumphed in the American playoff series with his impressive victory at August's Tour Championship in Atlanta, sits 94th in the continental circuit's season-long table. Lowry, who made the putt that secured the Ryder Cup, is 155th.

Additional squad members who can also qualify are Aberg (seventy-second) and Sepp Straka (147th).

This could challenge the fairness of a playoff structure, which by nature is intended to bring cut-throat high-stakes drama, but this scenario also illustrates realities faced by the headquartered European circuit.

They are dependent on big backers such as the title partner, who are also the naming sponsors of this week's event in India. They need the biggest stars at their premier tournaments to justify the investment, which runs to substantial funding.

Fleetwood has experienced one of his best seasons, capped by his maiden victory on US territory at the Atlanta course just under two months ago.

He is one of the continent's elite players and, frankly, it would be unthinkable to host the upcoming season climax without him.

Common sense overrides competitive integrity, even though the world number five - a local resident - has saved his strongest showings for events that do not qualify on his domestic circuit.

The Englishman has so far played only four DP World Tour events and been unable to place in the top 20 at any of them; the Middle Eastern event, Scottish Open, flagship event or pro-am competition.

The majors also contribute on the Race to Dubai and his sixteenth-place finish at the British Open was his sole high finish in the big four tournaments. But on the American-based circuit he enjoyed seven placements in the top five.

Fleetwood was also the team's highest contributor at the New York course last month. It seems absurd for him not to be participating alongside the circuit's top performers at the conclusion of the campaign.

While in the past the American and European circuits were deadly rivals they are now closely connected thanks to the cooperative partnership that supports European tour prize funds.

As Marco Penge, last week's winner of the Open De Espana, has moved into McIlroy's wing mirrors as his nearest challenger at the top of the season championship, much of the attention for the rest of the season will have an American bias.

The storyline 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. Penge, with three European victories, is guaranteed of what is generally considered as 'promotion' to the US circuit.

The Lancashire golfer, who also secured invites to the Augusta National and British Open with his Madrid victory, is not in the India field but will mount a last effort to try to overhaul the leader at the top of the standings.

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

Yorkshireman Parry and the Bath duo of Smith and Canter also currently occupy spots that would yield a valuable opportunity for next year.

Some observers view this scenario as proof that the DP World Tour is now nothing more than a development tour for big brother on the American continent.

However the DP World Tour argue it is a crucial system that underpins their schedule, a necessary and attractive feature that optimizes playing opportunities for its members.

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