Why Ryder Cup Golfers Get Automatic Access to Final DP World Tour Play-offs

The Northern Irish golfer ventures into new territory by playing in India this week as he makes his comeback to action for the first time since the prestigious team event.

While the golf superstar expands his golfing horizons, the European golf circuit begins the final phase of this year's season-long championship. McIlroy is in pole position to claim the annual championship for the fourth season running and seventh time overall.

This includes only three additional tournaments after the Indian event; the following week's Genesis Championship in South Korea - which wraps up the 'Back Nine' phase of the schedule - and then the last two competitions in the Arabian region.

These high-stakes playoff tournaments in Abu Dhabi and the emirate are reserved for the leading seventy and then top 50 in the season rankings.

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

Sitting outside the top 70, at first glance it would appear both require high finishes from their visit to the Delhi Golf Club to keep alive their seasons. But, in fact, they are guaranteed in advance of their places in the UAE and the final event.

This is due to a rarely discussed but practical exception whereby participants of the European squad are also considered qualified for the upcoming closing tournaments.

Fleetwood, who triumphed in the American playoff series with his impressive win at August's Tour Championship in Atlanta, lies ninety-fourth in the European tour's season-long table. Lowry, who made the winning stroke that retained the team trophy, is one hundred fifty-fifth.

Additional European team-mates who can potentially benefit are Aberg (seventy-second) and Sepp Straka (147th).

This could question the integrity of a playoff structure, which by nature is supposed to bring cut-throat competitive jeopardy, but this scenario also illustrates practical considerations faced by the headquartered European circuit.

They are reliant on major sponsors such as the title partner, who are also the title sponsors of this current tournament in the Asian nation. 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 eight weeks past.

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

Practical considerations trumps pure competition, even though the world number five - a local resident - has reserved his strongest showings for tournaments that do not count on his domestic circuit.

Fleetwood has so far played only four DP World Tour events and failed to place in the leading twenty at any of them; the Dubai Desert Classic, Scottish Open, flagship event or pro-am competition.

Major championships also count on the Race to Dubai and his sixteenth-place finish at the Open was his only top 20 in the major events. But on the American-based circuit he achieved seven placements in the top five.

The European star was also the team's highest contributor at Bethpage last month. It seems ridiculous for him not to be taking his place alongside the tour's leading stars at the end of the campaign.

Although in the past the PGA and European tours were fierce competitors they are now closely connected thanks to the strategic alliance that underpins European tour prize funds.

While the English golfer, last week's winner of the Spanish Open, has moved into McIlroy's wing mirrors as his nearest challenger at the top of the Race to Dubai, much of the attention for the remaining schedule will have an US focus.

The storyline will be shaped by the competition for ten spots on the PGA Tour for those who do not already have playing rights in the US. The rising star, with three DPWT wins, is assured of what is generally considered as advancement to the US circuit.

The Clitheroe-based pro, who also secured invitations to the Masters and Open with his Madrid victory, is not in the India field but will mount a last effort to try to overtake McIlroy at the peak of the rankings.

And Dan Brown, the man the champion defeated in the Spanish playoff, is one of several British golfers in the thick of the battle for a future US tour card.

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

Some observers view this scenario as proof that the European circuit is now nothing more than a development tour for the larger circuit on the American continent.

However the organization argue it is a vital mechanism that underpins their tour calendar, a necessary and enticing feature that maximises playing opportunities for its participants.

Undoubtedly this is the season period where the practical aspects and necessary adjustments of elite golf competition seem at their clearest display.