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Rory McIlroy ventures into new territory by playing in India this week as he makes his comeback to competition for the first time since the Ryder Cup.

As the golf superstar widens his competitive experience, the European golf circuit enters the final phase of this year's Race to Dubai. The world-class golfer is in the leading spot to secure the season-long title for the fourth consecutive year and seventh occasion in total.

This includes only three more events following the Indian event; the subsequent week's Genesis Championship in South Korea - which concludes the second half of the schedule - and then the final two tournaments in the Middle East.

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

But for players such as Tommy Fleetwood and Lowry, who are also in this tournament lineup in the subcontinent, there is less pressure than you might imagine.

Sitting outside the top 70, at first glance it would seem both need high finishes from their trip to the Indian course to keep alive their campaigns. But, in fact, they are guaranteed in advance of their positions in the UAE and Dubai.

This is due to a little publicised but pragmatic exception whereby participants of Europe's Ryder Cup team are also deemed eligible for next month's closing tournaments.

The English golfer, who won the American playoff series with his impressive victory at the season-ending event in Atlanta, sits ninety-fourth in the continental circuit's annual rankings. The Irish champion, who made the putt that retained the team trophy, is 155th.

Other squad members who can also qualify are Ludvig Aberg (72nd) and Straka (147th).

This could challenge the fairness of a play-off system, which by nature is supposed to bring cut-throat competitive jeopardy, but this situation also illustrates practical considerations faced by the Wentworth-based European circuit.

The tour is dependent on major sponsors such as the title partner, who are also the title sponsors of this current tournament in the Asian nation. The tour requires the top players at their premier tournaments to validate the financial commitment, which amounts to substantial funding.

Fleetwood has enjoyed one of his best campaigns, highlighted by his first win on US territory at East Lake just under eight weeks past.

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

Practical considerations trumps pure competition, even though the world number five - a local resident - has saved his strongest showings for events that do not count on his home tour.

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

The majors also contribute on the season standings and his sixteenth-place finish at the Open was his sole high finish in the big four tournaments. However on the American-based circuit he achieved seven placements in the top five.

The European star was also the team's highest contributor at Bethpage last month. It seems ridiculous for him not to be participating alongside the tour's leading stars at the conclusion 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 supports DP World Tour financial rewards.

As the English golfer, recent champion of the Open De Espana, has moved into McIlroy's wing mirrors as his closest rival at the summit of the season championship, 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 playing rights in the United States. The rising star, with three DPWT wins, is guaranteed of what is generally considered as advancement to the American tour.

The Lancashire golfer, who also secured invites 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 the leader at the top of the standings.

Meanwhile Dan Brown, the player Penge beat in the Spanish playoff, is one of several British golfers in the midst of the battle for a future US tour card.

Yorkshireman John Parry and the West Country pair of Smith and Laurie Canter also currently occupy spots that would yield a golden ticket for the coming season.

Certain analysts see this development as evidence that the European circuit is now essentially 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 enticing feature that maximises playing opportunities for its members.

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