🔗 Share this article

The Northern Irish golfer breaks new ground by competing in India this week as he returns to action for the initial occasion since the prestigious team event.

As the Northern Irishman widens his golfing horizons, the DP World Tour begins the closing stage of this year's season-long championship. McIlroy is in the leading spot to claim the season-long title for the fourth season running and seventh occasion in total.

There are only three additional tournaments following the Indian event; the subsequent week's Genesis tournament in Korean venue - which wraps up the second half of the tour calendar - and then the last two competitions in the Arabian region.

These big money playoff tournaments in Abu Dhabi and Dubai are exclusively available for the leading seventy and then top 50 in the standings.

But for the likes of Tommy Fleetwood and Shane Lowry, who are also in this week's field in the subcontinent, there is less pressure than you might imagine.

Sitting outside the seventieth position, at initial inspection it would seem both need high finishes from their visit 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 is due to a rarely discussed but pragmatic loophole whereby members of the European squad are also considered eligible for next month's closing tournaments.

Fleetwood, who triumphed in the American playoff series with his stirring win at August's Tour Championship in Atlanta, lies ninety-fourth in the European tour's season-long table. Lowry, who sank the putt that retained the team trophy, is 155th.

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

This could challenge the integrity of a playoff structure, which by definition is intended to bring cut-throat high-stakes drama, but this scenario also demonstrates practical considerations faced by the Wentworth-based DP World Tour.

They are reliant on big backers such as the title partner, who are also the title sponsors of this week's event in India. They need the biggest stars at their biggest events to validate the financial commitment, which runs to millions of dollars.

The talented golfer has experienced one of his best seasons, highlighted by his first win on US territory at the Atlanta course just under two months ago.

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

Common sense trumps competitive integrity, even though the world number five - a Dubai resident - has reserved his best performances for events that do not count on his domestic circuit.

Fleetwood has to date played only four European tournaments and been unable to place in the top 20 at any tournament; the Middle Eastern event, Scottish Open, BMW PGA Championship or Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

Major championships also count on the season standings and his share of 16th at the Open was his only top 20 in the big four tournaments. But on the American-based circuit he enjoyed seven top-five finishes.

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 participating with the tour's leading stars at the conclusion of the campaign.

Although in the previous era the PGA and European tours were fierce competitors they are now inextricably linked thanks to the cooperative partnership that underpins European tour prize funds.

While Marco Penge, last week's winner of the Open De Espana, has positioned himself in McIlroy's wing mirrors as his closest rival at the summit of the season championship, much of the interest for the remaining schedule will have an American bias.

The narrative will be shaped by the scramble for ten spots on the PGA Tour for those who do not already have playing rights in the United States. Penge, with three DPWT wins, is guaranteed of what is generally considered as 'promotion' to the US circuit.

The Clitheroe-based pro, who also secured invitations to the Masters and British Open with his Spanish success, is not in the tournament lineup but will mount a final push to try to overtake the leader at the top of the rankings.

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

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

Some observers see this development as proof that the European circuit is now nothing more than a feeder for big brother on the American continent.

But the DP World Tour maintain it is a crucial system that supports their schedule, a necessary and attractive element that maximises competitive chances for its members.

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