The Reason Ryder Cup Players Get Automatic Entry to Season-Ending DP World Tour Playoff Events

Rory McIlroy breaks new ground by playing in India this week as he makes his comeback to action for the initial occasion since the prestigious team event.

While the golf superstar expands his golfing horizons, the European golf circuit enters 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 more events following the Indian event; the subsequent week's Genesis tournament in Korean venue - which concludes the 'Back Nine' phase of the tour calendar - and then the final two tournaments in the Arabian region.

These particular big money 'play-off' events in Abu Dhabi and the emirate are exclusively available for the leading seventy and then top 50 in the season rankings.

But for the likes of Fleetwood and Shane Lowry, who are also in this week's field in the subcontinent, there is reduced stress than you might imagine.

Comfortably outside the seventieth position, at initial inspection it would seem both require high finishes from their trip to the Indian course to keep alive their campaigns. Yet, in fact, they are already assured of their positions in the UAE and the final event.

This results from a rarely discussed but pragmatic loophole whereby members of the European squad are also deemed qualified for the upcoming season finale events.

The English golfer, who triumphed in the PGA Tour's play-offs with his stirring win at the season-ending event in Georgia, sits 94th in the European tour's annual rankings. The Irish champion, who made the putt that retained the team trophy, is 155th.

Other squad members who can potentially benefit are Aberg (72nd) and Sepp Straka (one hundred forty-seventh).

This could challenge the fairness of a playoff structure, which by definition is supposed to bring cut-throat competitive jeopardy, but this scenario also illustrates realities faced by the Wentworth-based European circuit.

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

Fleetwood has experienced one of his best campaigns, highlighted by his first win on US territory at the Atlanta course just under eight weeks past.

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

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

Fleetwood has to date played only four DP World Tour events and failed to finish in the top 20 at any of them; the Dubai Desert Classic, UK tournament, flagship event or Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

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

Fleetwood was also the team's highest contributor at the New York course last month. It seems ridiculous for him not to be taking his place with the circuit's top performers 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 DP World Tour financial rewards.

As the English golfer, recent champion of the Spanish Open, has moved into McIlroy's wing mirrors as his closest rival at the summit of the season championship, much of the interest for the rest of the season will have an US focus.

The storyline will be shaped 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 generally considered as advancement to the US circuit.

The Lancashire golfer, who also guaranteed invites to the Augusta National and British Open with his Spanish success, is not in the India field but will mount a last effort to try to overtake the leader at the peak of the rankings.

Meanwhile the English competitor, the player Penge beat in the Spanish playoff, is one of several British golfers in the midst of the competition for a future US tour card.

Yorkshireman Parry and the West Country pair of Smith and Canter also presently hold positions that would provide a golden ticket for next year.

Some observers view this scenario as proof that the European circuit is now essentially a development tour for big brother on the other side of the pond.

However the DP World Tour argue it is a crucial system that supports their schedule, a necessary and attractive feature that maximises competitive chances for its participants.

Undoubtedly this is the time of the year where the practical aspects and necessary adjustments of elite golf competition seem at their most evident.