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

As the Northern Irishman expands his golfing horizons, the European golf circuit begins the final phase of this year's Race to Dubai. McIlroy is in pole position to claim the annual championship for the fourth consecutive year and seventh time overall.

There are only three additional tournaments after the Indian event; the following week's Genesis Championship in Korean venue - which wraps up the second half of the schedule - and then the final two tournaments in the Arabian region.

These particular big money 'play-off' events in the UAE capital and the emirate are reserved for the top 70 and then top 50 in the season rankings.

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

Sitting below the top 70, at initial inspection it would seem both need high finishes from their visit to the Delhi Golf Club to keep alive their seasons. But, actually, they are already assured of their positions in Abu Dhabi and the final event.

This is due to a little publicised but pragmatic exception whereby members of the European squad are also deemed eligible for next month's closing tournaments.

The English golfer, who triumphed in the American playoff series with his stirring victory at August's Tour Championship in Georgia, sits 94th in the European tour's annual rankings. The Irish champion, who made the putt that secured the Ryder Cup, is 155th.

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

This could question the integrity of a playoff structure, which by nature is supposed to bring cut-throat competitive jeopardy, but this scenario also demonstrates realities faced by the headquartered DP World Tour.

The tour is dependent on big backers such as the title partner, who are also the naming sponsors of this week's event in India. The tour requires 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 campaigns, capped by his first win 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 overrides pure competition, even though the top-ranked player - a local resident - has saved his best performances for tournaments that do not qualify on his domestic circuit.

Fleetwood has to date played only four European tournaments and been unable to finish in the top 20 at any of them; the Dubai Desert Classic, Scottish Open, BMW PGA Championship or pro-am competition.

The majors also count on the Race to Dubai and his sixteenth-place finish at the British Open was his sole high finish in the big four tournaments. However on the US tour he achieved seven placements in the top five.

Fleetwood was also the team's highest contributor at the New York course last month. It would be ridiculous for him not to be taking his place with the tour's leading stars at the end of the season.

Although in the previous era the PGA and European tours were deadly rivals they are now closely connected thanks to the cooperative partnership that underpins European tour prize funds.

While Marco Penge, recent champion of the Open De Espana, has moved into close pursuit as his closest rival at the summit of the Race to Dubai, 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 currently possess tour cards in the US. Penge, with three DPWT wins, is guaranteed of what is generally considered as advancement to the American tour.

The Lancashire golfer, who also guaranteed invitations to the Masters and Open with his Spanish success, is not in the tournament lineup but will launch a final push to try to overhaul McIlroy at the top of the standings.

And Dan Brown, the man the champion defeated in the Madrid play-off, is one of several British golfers in the thick of the battle for a future US tour card.

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

Certain analysts see this scenario as evidence that the European circuit is now nothing more than a feeder for the larger circuit on the other side of the pond.

But the organization maintain it is a vital mechanism that underpins their schedule, a necessary and attractive element that optimizes playing opportunities for its participants.

Undoubtedly this is the time of the year where the practical aspects and necessary adjustments of men's professional golf seem at their clearest display.