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The Northern Irish golfer breaks new ground by playing in India this week as he makes his comeback to action for the initial occasion since the Ryder Cup.

While the Northern Irishman widens his competitive experience, the DP World Tour enters the final phase of this year's season-long championship. McIlroy is in pole position to secure the annual championship for the fourth consecutive year and seventh occasion in total.

There are only three more events after the Indian event; the following week's Genesis tournament in South Korea - which concludes the second half of the tour calendar - and then the last two competitions in the Arabian region.

These particular big money 'play-off' events in the UAE capital and Dubai are exclusively available for the leading seventy and then leading fifty in the season rankings.

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

Comfortably outside the top 70, at initial inspection it would appear both need high finishes from their visit to the Indian course to extend their campaigns. But, in fact, they are already assured of their places in the UAE 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 the upcoming season finale events.

The English golfer, who triumphed in the American playoff series with his stirring victory at the season-ending event in Georgia, lies ninety-fourth in the continental circuit's season-long table. The Irish champion, who made the winning stroke that retained the Ryder Cup, is 155th.

Other European team-mates who can also qualify are Aberg (72nd) and Straka (one hundred forty-seventh).

This could question the fairness of a playoff structure, which by nature is supposed to bring cut-throat competitive jeopardy, but this situation also illustrates realities faced by the Wentworth-based DP World Tour.

The tour is reliant on major sponsors 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 validate the investment, which runs to substantial funding.

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

Fleetwood represents one of European golf's elite players and, frankly, it would be inconceivable to stage the upcoming season climax without him.

Common sense trumps competitive integrity, even though the top-ranked player - a Dubai resident - has reserved his best performances for tournaments that do not count on his domestic circuit.

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

The majors also count on the Race to Dubai and his sixteenth-place finish at the Open was his only top 20 in the major events. However on the US tour he enjoyed seven top-five finishes.

Fleetwood was also the team's highest contributor at Bethpage last month. It seems ridiculous for him not to be participating alongside the circuit's top performers 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 supports European tour prize funds.

As Marco Penge, recent champion of the Open De Espana, has positioned himself in McIlroy's wing mirrors as his closest rival at the top of the season championship, much of the interest for the rest of the season will have an American bias.

The narrative will be driven by the competition 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 assured of what is generally considered as 'promotion' to the American tour.

The Lancashire golfer, who also guaranteed invites to the Masters and Open with his Spanish success, is not in the India field but will mount a last effort to try to overhaul McIlroy at the top of the standings.

And Dan Brown, the man the champion 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 Jordan Smith and Canter also currently occupy spots that would provide a golden ticket for next year.

Some observers see this scenario as proof that the European circuit is now nothing more than a development tour for big brother on the other side of the pond.

But the organization maintain it is a crucial system that supports their schedule, a essential and enticing element that maximises playing opportunities for its participants.

Undoubtedly this is the season period where the practical aspects and compromises of elite golf competition seem at their most evident.