🔗 Share this article

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 prestigious team event.

While the Northern Irishman expands his golfing horizons, the European golf circuit begins the final phase of this year's season-long championship. McIlroy is in the leading spot to claim the season-long title for the fourth consecutive year and seventh time overall.

There are only three more events following the India Championship; the subsequent week's Genesis tournament in Korean venue - which wraps up the 'Back Nine' phase of the schedule - and then the last two competitions in the Arabian region.

These particular high-stakes playoff tournaments in Abu Dhabi and Dubai are reserved 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 week's field in India, there is reduced stress than you might imagine.

Sitting outside the seventieth position, at initial inspection it would appear both require strong performances from their visit to the Delhi Golf Club to extend their seasons. Yet, in fact, they are guaranteed in advance of their positions in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

This results from a little publicised but practical loophole whereby participants of the European squad are also deemed eligible for the upcoming season finale events.

The English golfer, who won the American playoff series with his stirring win at August's Tour Championship in Georgia, lies 94th in the European tour's annual rankings. Lowry, who made the winning stroke that secured the Ryder Cup, is one hundred fifty-fifth.

Additional squad members who can potentially benefit are Aberg (seventy-second) and Sepp Straka (one hundred forty-seventh).

This might question the integrity of a playoff structure, which by nature is intended to bring intense competitive jeopardy, but this situation also illustrates 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 current tournament in the Asian nation. The tour requires the biggest stars at their biggest events to validate the financial commitment, which amounts to substantial funding.

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

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

Practical considerations overrides pure competition, even though the world number five - 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 finish in the top 20 at any of them; the Middle Eastern event, UK tournament, flagship event or pro-am competition.

Major championships also contribute on the season standings and his share of 16th at the British Open was his only top 20 in the major events. But on the US tour he achieved seven placements in the top five.

Fleetwood 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 past the American and European circuits were deadly rivals they are now closely connected thanks to the cooperative partnership that supports DP World Tour prize funds.

While the English golfer, last week's winner of the Open De Espana, has moved into McIlroy's wing mirrors as his closest rival 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 United States. Penge, with three European victories, is assured of what is widely regarded as advancement to the American tour.

The Clitheroe-based pro, who also secured invites to the Masters and Open with his Spanish success, is not in the India field but will mount a final push to try to overhaul the leader at the peak of the rankings.

And the English competitor, the player Penge beat in the Spanish playoff, is one of four other Britons in the midst of the battle for a future US tour card.

Yorkshireman Parry and the Bath duo of Jordan Smith and Laurie Canter also currently occupy spots that would yield a golden ticket for the coming season.

Certain analysts see this development as proof that the DP World Tour is now nothing more than a development tour for big brother on the other side of the pond.

However the DP World Tour maintain it is a vital mechanism that supports their schedule, a necessary and enticing feature that optimizes playing opportunities for its members.

Certainly this is the time of the year where the practical aspects and compromises of men's professional golf seem at their most evident.