Why European Team Players Receive Guaranteed Entry to Final DP World Tour Playoff Events
Fleetwood led with four victories, Shane Lowry went undefeated and McIlroy delivered three and a half points
The Northern Irish golfer ventures into new territory by playing in the Indian tournament this week as he makes his comeback to action for the initial occasion since the Ryder Cup.
As the golf superstar expands his competitive experience, the DP World Tour begins the closing stage of this year's Race to Dubai. The world-class golfer is in pole position to secure the annual championship for the fourth season running and seventh occasion in total.
This includes only three more events following the India Championship; the subsequent week's Genesis Championship in Korean venue - 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 the emirate are reserved for the top 70 and then leading fifty in the season rankings.
However for the likes of Tommy Fleetwood and Lowry, who are also in this tournament lineup in the subcontinent, there is reduced stress than you might imagine.
Comfortably below the seventieth position, at first glance it would appear both require strong performances from their trip to the Delhi Golf Club to keep alive their seasons. Yet, in fact, they are already assured of their positions in the UAE and the final event.
This is due to a rarely discussed but practical loophole whereby members of the European squad are also considered qualified for the upcoming season finale events.
The English golfer, who won the American playoff series with his impressive win at August's Tour Championship in Atlanta, sits ninety-fourth in the continental circuit's season-long table. The Irish champion, who made the putt that secured the Ryder Cup, is one hundred fifty-fifth.
Other European team-mates who can also qualify are Aberg (seventy-second) and Straka (147th).
This might challenge the integrity of a play-off system, which by nature is intended to bring intense high-stakes drama, but this situation also demonstrates practical considerations faced by the headquartered European circuit.
They are dependent on big backers such as the title partner, who are also the title sponsors of this week's event in the Asian nation. They need the biggest stars at their premier tournaments to validate the investment, which runs to millions of dollars.
The talented golfer has enjoyed one of his most successful seasons, capped by his first win on US territory at the Atlanta course just under eight weeks past.
Fleetwood represents one of European golf's superstars and, frankly, it would be unthinkable to stage the upcoming season climax without him.
Practical considerations overrides pure competition, even though the world number five - a Dubai resident - has reserved his strongest showings for events that do not qualify on his domestic circuit.
Fleetwood has to date played only four European tournaments and failed to finish in the top 20 at any of them; the Dubai Desert Classic, UK tournament, BMW PGA Championship or Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
The majors also count on the season standings and his share of 16th at the Open was his sole high finish in the major events. However on the American-based circuit he enjoyed seven top-five finishes.
The European star was also Europe's top points scorer at the New York course last month. It would be ridiculous for him not to be taking his place alongside the circuit's top performers at the end of the campaign.
Although in the previous era the American and European circuits were deadly rivals they are now closely connected thanks to the strategic alliance that underpins DP World Tour prize funds.
As the English golfer, recent champion of the Spanish Open, has positioned himself in McIlroy's wing mirrors as his closest rival at the top of the season championship, much of the interest for the remaining schedule will have an American bias.
The storyline will be driven by the scramble for 10 places on the PGA Tour for those who do not already have tour cards in the US. The rising star, with three DPWT wins, is assured of what is widely regarded as advancement to the American tour.
The Lancashire golfer, who also secured invitations to the Masters and Open with his Spanish success, is not in the tournament lineup but will launch a last effort to try to overtake McIlroy at the top of the rankings.
Meanwhile the English competitor, the player the champion defeated in the Madrid play-off, is one of several British golfers in the thick of the competition for a future US tour card.
Yorkshireman Parry and the Bath duo of Jordan Smith and Laurie Canter also currently occupy spots that would provide a valuable opportunity for next year.
Certain analysts view this development as evidence that the DP World Tour is now nothing more than a development tour for the larger circuit on the American continent.
However the organization maintain it is a crucial system that underpins their tour calendar, 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 most evident.
