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The Northern Irish golfer ventures into new territory by competing in the Indian tournament this week as he makes his comeback to action for the first time since the Ryder Cup.

While the Northern Irishman expands his golfing horizons, the European golf circuit enters the closing stage of this year's season-long championship. The world-class golfer is in pole position to secure the season-long title for the fourth consecutive year and seventh occasion in total.

There are only three more events after the India Championship; the following week's Genesis tournament in South Korea - which wraps up the second half of the schedule - and then the last two competitions in the Arabian region.

These high-stakes 'play-off' events in the UAE capital and the emirate are exclusively available for the top 70 and then leading fifty in the season rankings.

But for players such as Fleetwood and Shane Lowry, who are also in this tournament lineup in India, there is less pressure than one would expect.

Sitting below the top 70, at initial inspection it would appear both need strong performances from their visit to the Indian course to extend their campaigns. But, actually, they are already assured of their places in the UAE and Dubai.

This is due to a rarely discussed but pragmatic loophole whereby members of the European squad are also considered qualified for the upcoming closing tournaments.

Fleetwood, who won the PGA Tour's play-offs with his stirring victory at August's Tour Championship in Georgia, lies ninety-fourth in the European tour's season-long table. The Irish champion, who sank the winning stroke that secured the Ryder Cup, is 155th.

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

This might question the integrity of a playoff structure, which by definition is supposed to bring intense competitive jeopardy, but this situation 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 naming sponsors of this current tournament in India. They need the biggest stars at their premier tournaments to validate the investment, which runs to millions of dollars.

The talented golfer has enjoyed one of his most successful seasons, highlighted by his maiden victory on American soil at East Lake just under two months ago.

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

Common sense trumps pure competition, even though the top-ranked player - a Dubai resident - has saved his best performances for events that do not qualify on his domestic circuit.

Fleetwood has to date played only four European tournaments and failed to finish in the top 20 at any tournament; the Dubai Desert Classic, Scottish Open, flagship event or Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

Major championships also count on the season standings and his sixteenth-place finish at the British Open was his only top 20 in the big four tournaments. However on the US tour he enjoyed seven top-five finishes.

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 circuit's top performers at the end of the season.

Although in the past the PGA and European tours were deadly rivals they are now closely connected thanks to the strategic alliance that underpins European tour financial rewards.

While the English golfer, last week's winner of the Open De Espana, has moved into close pursuit as his closest rival at the top of the season championship, much of the attention for the rest of the season will have an US focus.

The narrative will be driven by the competition for ten spots on the PGA Tour 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 Lancashire golfer, who also secured invitations to the Masters and British Open with his Madrid victory, is not in the India field but will launch a final push to try to overtake the leader at the top of the standings.

Meanwhile Dan Brown, the man the champion defeated in the Spanish playoff, is one of several British golfers in the midst of the competition for a future US tour card.

Northern golfer Parry and the West Country pair of Smith and Canter also presently hold positions that would provide a golden ticket for next year.

Some observers see this scenario as proof that the DP World Tour is now nothing more than a feeder for the larger circuit on the other side of the pond.

But the DP World Tour maintain it is a crucial system that underpins their schedule, a necessary and enticing element that maximises playing opportunities for its members.

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