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Rory McIlroy breaks new ground by playing in India this week as he returns to action for the initial occasion since the prestigious team event.

As the Northern Irishman expands his golfing horizons, the European golf circuit enters the closing stage of this year's Race to Dubai. McIlroy is in pole position to secure the annual championship for the fourth consecutive year and seventh occasion in total.

This includes only three more events following the India Championship; the subsequent week's Genesis tournament in South Korea - which wraps up the second half of the tour calendar - and then the final two tournaments in the Arabian region.

These big money 'play-off' events in Abu Dhabi and the emirate are exclusively available for the leading seventy and then leading fifty in the standings.

However for players such as 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 seem both require high finishes from their trip to the Delhi Golf Club to keep alive their campaigns. But, actually, they are already assured of their positions in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

This is due to a little publicised but practical loophole whereby members of the European squad are also considered qualified for the upcoming season finale events.

Fleetwood, who won the American playoff series with his impressive win at the season-ending event in Atlanta, sits ninety-fourth in the continental circuit's season-long table. Lowry, who made the winning stroke that retained the team trophy, is 155th.

Additional squad members who can also qualify are Aberg (72nd) and Straka (one hundred forty-seventh).

This could question the integrity of a play-off system, which by definition is intended to bring cut-throat competitive jeopardy, but this situation also demonstrates realities faced by the Wentworth-based DP World Tour.

They are dependent on big backers such as DP World, who are also the naming sponsors of this current tournament in the Asian nation. They need the biggest stars at their biggest events to validate the financial commitment, which amounts to substantial funding.

Fleetwood has experienced one of his best campaigns, capped by his maiden victory on US territory at East Lake just under two months ago.

Fleetwood represents one of the continent's superstars and, frankly, it would be inconceivable to stage the upcoming season climax without him.

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

Fleetwood has so far played only four DP World Tour events and failed to place in the top 20 at any of them; the Middle Eastern event, Scottish Open, BMW PGA Championship or Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

The majors also contribute on the season standings and his share of 16th at the British Open was his sole high finish in the major events. But on the US tour he enjoyed seven top-five finishes.

Fleetwood was also Europe's top points scorer at the New York course last month. It would be ridiculous for him not to be taking his place alongside the circuit's top performers at the conclusion of the season.

While in the previous era the American and European circuits were deadly rivals they are now inextricably linked thanks to the strategic alliance that underpins European tour prize funds.

As the English golfer, recent champion of the Spanish Open, has positioned himself in McIlroy's wing mirrors as his nearest challenger at the top of the Race to Dubai, much of the interest for the rest of the season will have an US focus.

The storyline will be driven by the scramble for 10 places on the PGA Tour for those who do not already have tour cards in the US. The rising star, with three European victories, is guaranteed of what is widely regarded as advancement to the American tour.

The Clitheroe-based pro, who also guaranteed invites to the Masters and Open with his Madrid victory, is not in the tournament lineup but will launch a final push to try to overhaul the leader at the peak of the rankings.

And Dan Brown, the man Penge beat in the Madrid play-off, is one of four other Britons in the midst of the battle for a future US tour card.

Yorkshireman John Parry and the West Country pair of Jordan Smith and Canter also currently occupy positions that would provide a valuable opportunity for next year.

Some observers see this scenario as proof that the DP World Tour 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 enticing element that maximises competitive chances for its members.

Certainly this is the season period where the practical aspects and necessary adjustments of men's professional golf seem at their most evident.