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The Northern Irish golfer ventures into new territory by competing in India this week as he returns to action for the initial occasion since the Ryder Cup.

As the Northern Irishman widens his competitive experience, the European golf circuit begins the final phase of this year's Race to Dubai. The world-class golfer is in pole position to secure the annual championship for the fourth consecutive year and seventh time overall.

There are only three additional tournaments after the Indian event; the following week's Genesis Championship in Korean venue - which wraps up the second half of the tour calendar - and then the final two tournaments in the Arabian region.

These particular big money playoff tournaments in Abu Dhabi and Dubai are reserved for the leading seventy and then top 50 in the season rankings.

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

Sitting below the top 70, at initial inspection it would seem both need high finishes from their trip to the Delhi Golf Club to keep alive their seasons. But, in fact, they are guaranteed in advance of their places in Abu Dhabi and the final event.

This is due to a rarely discussed but pragmatic loophole whereby participants of Europe's Ryder Cup team are also considered eligible for the upcoming season finale events.

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

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

This might challenge the integrity of a playoff structure, which by nature is supposed to bring cut-throat high-stakes drama, but this situation also demonstrates 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 week's event in India. The tour requires the top players at their premier tournaments to validate the investment, which runs to millions of dollars.

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

He is one of European golf's superstars and, frankly, it would be inconceivable to host the upcoming season climax without him.

Practical considerations trumps competitive integrity, even though the world number five - a Dubai resident - has saved his strongest showings for events that do not count on his home tour.

Fleetwood has so far played only four European tournaments and failed to finish in the top 20 at any tournament; the Middle Eastern event, Scottish Open, BMW PGA Championship or pro-am competition.

Major championships also contribute on the Race to Dubai and his sixteenth-place finish at the Open was his sole high finish in the major events. However on the American-based circuit he achieved seven placements in the top five.

The European star 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 end of the season.

Although in the previous era the PGA and European tours were fierce competitors they are now inextricably linked thanks to the cooperative partnership that supports European tour financial rewards.

While Marco Penge, last week's winner of the Open De Espana, has moved into McIlroy's wing mirrors as his nearest challenger at the top of the season championship, much of the attention for the remaining schedule will have an US focus.

The narrative will be driven by the scramble for 10 places on the PGA Tour for those who do not already have tour cards in the United States. Penge, with three European victories, is assured of what is widely regarded as 'promotion' to the American tour.

The Clitheroe-based pro, who also guaranteed invites to the Augusta National and Open with his Spanish success, is not in the India field but will launch a final push to try to overhaul the leader at the top of the rankings.

Meanwhile the English competitor, the player Penge defeated in the Madrid play-off, is one of several British golfers in the midst of the competition for a future US tour card.

Northern golfer Parry and the Bath duo of Smith and Laurie Canter also currently occupy positions that would provide a valuable opportunity for the coming season.

Some observers see this development as proof that the European circuit is now nothing more than a feeder for big brother on the other side of the pond.

However the organization argue it is a vital mechanism that supports their tour calendar, a essential and enticing feature that maximises competitive chances for its participants.

Certainly this is the time of the year where the practical aspects and compromises of elite golf competition seem at their clearest display.