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The Northern Irish golfer breaks new ground by competing in the Indian tournament this week as he makes his comeback to competition for the initial occasion since the prestigious team event.

As the golf superstar expands his competitive experience, the European golf circuit enters the closing stage of this year's season-long championship. The world-class golfer is in the leading spot to claim the annual championship for the fourth consecutive year and seventh time overall.

There are only three more events after the Indian event; the following week's Genesis tournament in Korean venue - which wraps up the 'Back Nine' phase of the schedule - and then the final two tournaments in the Arabian region.

These high-stakes playoff tournaments in the UAE capital and the emirate are exclusively available for the leading seventy and then leading fifty in the season rankings.

However for the likes of Tommy Fleetwood and Shane Lowry, who are also in this week's field in the subcontinent, there is reduced stress than you might imagine.

Comfortably below the top 70, at initial inspection it would appear both require high finishes from their visit to the Delhi Golf Club to extend their campaigns. Yet, in fact, they are already assured of their places in Abu Dhabi and the final event.

This is due to a rarely discussed but pragmatic loophole whereby members of the European squad are also deemed eligible for the upcoming season finale events.

The English golfer, who triumphed in the PGA Tour's play-offs with his impressive victory at August's Tour Championship in Atlanta, lies 94th in the continental circuit's season-long table. Lowry, who made the winning stroke that retained the Ryder Cup, is one hundred fifty-fifth.

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

This might question the integrity of a play-off system, which by definition is supposed to bring cut-throat high-stakes drama, but this situation also illustrates practical considerations faced by the Wentworth-based European circuit.

The tour is reliant on big backers such as DP World, who are also the title sponsors of this current tournament in India. They need the biggest stars at their premier tournaments to justify the financial commitment, which amounts to substantial funding.

Fleetwood has experienced one of his most successful campaigns, highlighted by his first win on US territory at the Atlanta course just under eight weeks past.

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

Common sense overrides competitive integrity, even though the world number five - a Dubai resident - has saved his best performances for events that do not count on his domestic circuit.

Fleetwood has to date played only four European tournaments and failed to finish in the top 20 at any of them; the Middle Eastern event, UK tournament, flagship event or Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

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

The European star 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 tour's leading stars at the conclusion of the campaign.

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

As the English golfer, last week's winner of the Open De Espana, has moved into close pursuit as his closest rival at the summit of the season championship, much of the interest for the rest of the season will have an American bias.

The storyline will be shaped by the competition for 10 places on the American circuit for those who do not already have playing rights in the US. The rising star, with three European victories, is guaranteed of what is widely regarded as 'promotion' to the American tour.

The Lancashire golfer, who also guaranteed invitations to the Masters and Open with his Madrid victory, is not in the India field but will launch a last effort to try to overtake the leader at the top of the standings.

And the English competitor, the man Penge beat in the Spanish playoff, is one of several British golfers in the thick of the competition for a future US tour card.

Northern golfer John Parry and the Bath duo of Jordan Smith and Laurie 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 the larger circuit on the other side of the pond.

However the DP World Tour argue it is a crucial system that supports their tour calendar, a essential and enticing element that maximises playing opportunities for its participants.

Undoubtedly this is the time of the year where the realities and necessary adjustments of men's professional golf seem at their most evident.