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The Northern Irish golfer 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 Northern Irishman widens his golfing horizons, the DP World Tour enters the closing stage of this year's Race to Dubai. McIlroy is in the leading spot to claim the annual championship for the fourth consecutive year and seventh time overall.

This includes only three additional tournaments after the India Championship; the subsequent week's Genesis Championship in South Korea - which concludes the 'Back Nine' phase of the tour calendar - and then the final two tournaments in the Arabian region.

These particular high-stakes playoff tournaments in the UAE capital and the emirate are exclusively available for the top 70 and then leading fifty in the season rankings.

But for players such as Tommy Fleetwood and Shane Lowry, who are also in this week's field in India, there is reduced stress than you might imagine.

Comfortably outside the top 70, at initial inspection it would appear both require high finishes from their trip to the Indian course to extend their campaigns. But, in fact, they are guaranteed in advance of their positions in the UAE and Dubai.

This results from a little publicised but practical loophole whereby members of the European squad are also deemed qualified for the upcoming closing tournaments.

The English golfer, who triumphed in the American playoff series with his impressive win at August's Tour Championship in Georgia, lies ninety-fourth in the continental circuit's annual rankings. Lowry, who sank the putt that retained the team trophy, is one hundred fifty-fifth.

Other European team-mates who can potentially benefit are Ludvig Aberg (seventy-second) and Straka (147th).

This could question the fairness of a play-off system, which by nature is supposed to bring intense high-stakes drama, but this situation also demonstrates realities faced by the Wentworth-based European circuit.

The tour is reliant on major sponsors such as the title partner, who are also the title sponsors of this current tournament in the Asian nation. They need the biggest stars at their biggest events to justify the investment, which amounts to substantial funding.

Fleetwood has enjoyed one of his most successful campaigns, highlighted by his maiden victory on American soil at East Lake just under eight weeks past.

Fleetwood represents one of the continent's elite players and, frankly, it would be unthinkable to host the upcoming season climax without him.

Practical considerations overrides competitive integrity, even though the world number five - a Dubai resident - has reserved 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 been unable to finish in the leading twenty at any of them; the Dubai Desert Classic, Scottish Open, 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 sole high finish in the big four tournaments. But on the US tour he enjoyed seven placements in the top five.

The European star was also Europe's top points scorer at the New York course last month. It seems ridiculous for him not to be taking his place alongside the tour's leading stars at the end of the campaign.

While in the past the PGA and European tours were deadly rivals they are now closely connected thanks to the strategic alliance that supports European tour financial rewards.

As the English golfer, recent champion of the Open De Espana, has positioned himself in McIlroy's wing mirrors as his closest rival at the top of the Race to Dubai, much of the attention for the rest of the season will have an US focus.

The storyline will be shaped by the competition 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 advancement to the American tour.

The Lancashire golfer, who also guaranteed invites to the Masters and British Open with his Madrid victory, is not in the India field but will mount a final push to try to overtake the leader at the peak of the standings.

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

Northern golfer Parry and the West Country pair of Smith and Canter also currently occupy spots that would provide a valuable opportunity for next year.

Certain analysts see this scenario as proof that the DP World Tour is now essentially a feeder for the larger circuit on the American continent.

But the DP World Tour maintain it is a vital mechanism that underpins their schedule, a essential and attractive element that maximises playing opportunities for its members.

Undoubtedly this is the time of the year where the practical aspects and compromises of men's professional golf seem at their clearest display.