🔗 Share this article

The Northern Irish golfer breaks new ground by playing in the Indian tournament this week as he returns to competition for the initial occasion since the Ryder Cup.

As the Northern Irishman widens his golfing horizons, the European golf circuit enters the closing stage of this year's season-long championship. McIlroy is in pole position to claim the annual championship for the fourth season running and seventh occasion in total.

There are only three more events following the Indian event; the subsequent week's Genesis tournament in South Korea - which wraps up the 'Back Nine' phase of the tour calendar - and then the last two competitions in the Middle East.

These big money 'play-off' events in the UAE capital and Dubai are reserved for the leading seventy and then leading fifty in the standings.

However for players such as Fleetwood and Shane Lowry, who are also in this tournament lineup in India, there is less pressure than you might imagine.

Sitting below the top 70, at first glance it would appear both require strong performances from their visit to the Delhi Golf Club to keep alive their seasons. But, in fact, they are already assured of their places in Abu Dhabi and the final event.

This is due to a rarely discussed but practical loophole whereby participants of Europe's Ryder Cup team are also deemed qualified for the upcoming closing tournaments.

The English golfer, who won the PGA Tour's play-offs with his impressive win at the season-ending event in Georgia, sits ninety-fourth in the European tour's annual rankings. The Irish champion, who made the putt that retained the team trophy, is 155th.

Other European team-mates who can also qualify are Ludvig Aberg (72nd) and Sepp Straka (147th).

This might question the integrity of a playoff structure, which by nature is intended to bring intense competitive jeopardy, but this situation also demonstrates practical considerations faced by the headquartered European circuit.

The tour is reliant on major sponsors such as DP World, who are also the naming sponsors of this current tournament in the Asian nation. The tour requires the biggest stars at their premier tournaments to justify the investment, which runs to substantial funding.

Fleetwood has enjoyed one of his best campaigns, highlighted by his first win on American soil at the Atlanta course just under two months ago.

Fleetwood represents one of European golf's superstars and, honestly, it would be unthinkable to host the 2025 season finale without him.

Common sense trumps competitive integrity, even though the world number five - a local resident - has saved his best performances for events that do not count on his home tour.

The Englishman has so far played only four DP World Tour events and been unable to finish in the top 20 at any of them; the Dubai Desert Classic, UK tournament, BMW PGA Championship or pro-am competition.

The majors also count on the season standings and his sixteenth-place finish at the British Open was his only top 20 in the major events. But on the American-based circuit he enjoyed seven placements in the top five.

Fleetwood was also the team's highest contributor at the New York course last month. It seems absurd for him not to be participating alongside the tour's leading stars at the conclusion of the season.

Although in the previous era the PGA and European tours were fierce competitors 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 moved into close pursuit as his closest rival at the summit of the season championship, much of the interest for the remaining schedule will have an American bias.

The narrative will be shaped by the competition for ten spots on the American circuit for those who do not currently possess playing rights in the United States. Penge, with three DPWT wins, is guaranteed of what is generally considered as 'promotion' to the American tour.

The Clitheroe-based pro, who also guaranteed invitations to the Masters and British Open with his Spanish success, 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 competition for a 2026 PGA card.

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

Certain analysts view this development as proof that the DP World Tour is now essentially a development tour for big brother on the other side of the pond.

But the DP World Tour argue it is a crucial system that supports their tour calendar, a essential and enticing feature that maximises competitive chances for its members.

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