Heroes will be made - all you need to know

On the eve of the NBO Golf Classic Grand Final, at Muscat's stunning Al Mouj Golf, here's all you need to know about the European Challenge Tour's season finale.

<strong><span style="font-size: 18px;">The Road to Oman ends here</span></strong>

Through 26 tournaments in 20 countries, the Road to Oman has finally reached its ultimate destination: Muscat, for the 27th and final event of 2016.

On Saturday evening, 16 players will be celebrating being in possession of European Tour cards for next season, andhere is all you need to know about the various permutationsheading into this week.

<strong><span style="font-size: 18px;">Tight at the top</span></strong>

<blockquote title="Jordan">Holding onto that Rankings top spot is key, that's the goal</blockquote>

Jordan Smith's victory at last week's Ras Al Khaimah 2016 Golf Challenge took him back to the top of the Rankings, but he is one of four players who could still mathematically win the Road to Oman.

Thetop three are grouped together for the first roundand took a boat trip together on the eve of the tournament as a friendly way to get the competitive juices flowing.

<strong><span style="font-size: 18px;">Fox flying one year on</span></strong>

<blockquote title="Fox">I'm definitely much more relaxed this week than I was last year</blockquote>

What a difference a year makes - 12 months ago, Ryan Fox was the unlucky man to miss out by the narrowest margin on graduation after a disappointing final round in Oman.

This season has been a different story, as victory in Northern Ireland and consistency through the year mean the New Zealander is guaranteed a European Tour card this time, andhe is looking forward to an enjoyable week.

<strong><span style="font-size: 18px;">Rai on the bubble</span></strong>

<blockquote title="Rai">Regardless of the result this week, I think my season has been a very successful one</blockquote>

The man currently in Fox's position, the dreaded first man not inside the top 16, is Road to Oman Number 17 Aaron Rai, whoneeds a good week in Muscatto avoid suffering the same fate as his friend did last year.

<strong><span style="font-size: 18px;">Beef issues the rally cry</span></strong>

Now a global giant of the game, it was only two years ago that Andrew 'Beef' Johnston was topping the Challenge Tour Rankings, and he has not forgotten his roots, taking the time to offer advice and good luck to this week's competitors.

<span style="font-size: 18px;"><strong>Gouveia remembers historic double</strong>​</span>

One year after Beef, and 12 months ago, Ricardo Gouveia sealed his spot as Road to Oman winner with a dramatic victory in the NBO Golf Classic Grand Final.

<strong><span style="font-size: 18px;">Mad Max: Glory road?</span></strong>

<blockquote title="Max">I feel that it's the perfect time to come back and produce some magic again</blockquote>

He's done it once, who's to say he won't do it again? Max Orrin was victorious here in Muscat two years ago and comes into this week in 20th position, so needing something special - though top sixes in his last two events show he is in the sort of form to produce when it matters the most.

<strong><span style="font-size: 18px;">Good luck from European Tour stars</span></strong>

As a final goodwill gesture, familiar faces from the European Tour have been lining up to wish our finalists - and their potential future colleagues - well ahead of this week.