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Rory McIlroy ventures into new territory by playing in the Indian tournament this week as he returns to action for the first time since the prestigious team event.

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 occasion in total.

There are only three additional tournaments after the Indian event; the following week's Genesis Championship in South Korea - which wraps up the second half of the tour calendar - and then the last two competitions in the Middle East.

These big money playoff tournaments in Abu Dhabi and the emirate are exclusively available for the leading seventy and then leading fifty in the standings.

But for players such as Fleetwood and Lowry, who are also in this week's field in India, there is reduced stress than one would expect.

Sitting outside the top 70, at first glance it would seem both need strong performances from their trip to the Indian course to extend their campaigns. But, actually, they are guaranteed in advance of their places in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

This results from a little publicised but practical loophole whereby members of Europe's Ryder Cup team are also considered qualified for next month's closing tournaments.

Fleetwood, who won the PGA Tour's play-offs with his impressive win at the season-ending event in Atlanta, sits ninety-fourth in the European tour's season-long table. The Irish champion, who sank the winning stroke that secured the team trophy, is 155th.

Other European team-mates who can potentially benefit are Aberg (72nd) and Sepp Straka (147th).

This could challenge the fairness of a playoff structure, which by nature is intended to bring intense competitive jeopardy, but this scenario also illustrates practical considerations faced by the headquartered DP World Tour.

The tour is dependent on major sponsors such as DP World, 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 financial commitment, which runs to millions of dollars.

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

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

Common sense overrides pure competition, even though the top-ranked player - a local resident - has saved his strongest showings for events that do not qualify on his home tour.

Fleetwood has so far played only four DP World Tour events and failed to finish in the leading twenty at any tournament; the Middle Eastern event, UK tournament, flagship event or Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

Major championships also count on the Race to Dubai and his share of 16th at the Open was his only top 20 in the major events. However on the US tour 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 taking his place with the circuit's top performers at the end of the campaign.

While in the past the American and European circuits were fierce competitors they are now inextricably linked thanks to the cooperative partnership that underpins DP World Tour financial rewards.

While the English golfer, recent champion of the Spanish Open, has positioned himself in McIlroy's wing mirrors as his closest rival at the summit of the season championship, much of the interest for the remaining schedule 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 playing rights in the United States. Penge, with three European victories, is assured of what is widely regarded as 'promotion' to the US circuit.

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

Meanwhile Dan Brown, the man the champion beat in the Madrid play-off, is one of several British golfers in the midst of the competition for a future US tour card.

Yorkshireman John Parry and the Bath duo of Smith and Canter also currently occupy spots that would provide a golden ticket for next year.

Certain analysts see this scenario as proof that the European circuit is now essentially a feeder for the larger circuit on the other side of the pond.

However the DP World Tour argue it is a vital mechanism that underpins their tour calendar, a necessary and enticing feature that maximises playing opportunities for its members.

Undoubtedly this is the time of the year where the realities and compromises of elite golf competition seem at their clearest display.