🔗 Share this article

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

While the Northern Irishman expands his competitive experience, the European golf circuit begins the final phase of this year's season-long championship. McIlroy is in pole position to claim the season-long title for the fourth consecutive year and seventh occasion in total.

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

These high-stakes playoff tournaments in Abu Dhabi and Dubai are reserved for the leading seventy and then leading fifty in the standings.

However for players such as Tommy Fleetwood and Lowry, who are also in this tournament lineup in the subcontinent, there is less pressure than one would expect.

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

This results from a rarely discussed but pragmatic exception whereby participants of the European squad are also deemed qualified for the upcoming closing tournaments.

The English golfer, who triumphed in the PGA Tour's play-offs with his impressive victory at August's Tour Championship in Atlanta, lies ninety-fourth in the European tour's season-long table. Lowry, who sank the putt that retained the Ryder Cup, is 155th.

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

This might question the fairness of a playoff structure, which by nature is intended to bring intense high-stakes drama, but this scenario also illustrates practical considerations 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 week's event in the Asian nation. The tour requires the top players at their premier tournaments to justify the financial commitment, which amounts to millions of dollars.

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

He is one of the continent's elite players and, frankly, it would be unthinkable to stage the 2025 season finale without him.

Common sense overrides competitive integrity, even though the top-ranked player - a Dubai resident - has reserved his best performances for events that do not qualify on his home tour.

The Englishman has to date played only four DP World Tour events and been unable to finish in the leading twenty at any of them; the Middle Eastern event, UK tournament, flagship event or pro-am competition.

The majors also count on the Race to Dubai and his share of 16th at the British Open was his only top 20 in the major events. However on the US tour he achieved seven placements in the top five.

Fleetwood 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 with the tour's leading stars at the conclusion of the campaign.

While in the past the American and European circuits were deadly rivals they are now closely connected thanks to the cooperative partnership that supports DP World Tour prize funds.

As Marco Penge, recent champion of the Open De Espana, has moved into close pursuit as his nearest challenger at the top of the Race to Dubai, much of the attention for the remaining schedule will have an American bias.

The narrative 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. Penge, with three European victories, is assured of what is generally considered as 'promotion' to the American tour.

The Clitheroe-based pro, who also secured invites to the Masters and British Open with his Spanish success, is not in the India field but will launch a last effort to try to overtake the leader at the top of the rankings.

Meanwhile Dan Brown, the man the champion defeated in the Spanish playoff, is one of four other Britons in the midst of the battle for a 2026 PGA card.

Yorkshireman Parry and the West Country pair of Smith and Canter also presently hold positions that would yield a valuable opportunity for next year.

Some observers view this scenario as proof that the DP World Tour is now nothing more than a development tour for big brother on the other side of the pond.

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

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