Els' own story is also worth repeating, the 43-year-old starting 2012 by failing to qualify for the Masters for the first time since 1993 but going on to win a second Open title three months later, 10 years after first lifting the Claret Jug.
"2002 was a funny one because I played good golf at the start of the year and then my game left me," Els recalled. "David Leadbetter and myself worked our behinds off to get my swing back in shape and luckily I found my game, so to speak.
"Basically, it was a last-minute thing. On the Wednesday at Muirfield I found something in my swing and I went with it so it was fortunate."
Muirfield has been lengthened by 158 yards since 2002 with the addition of seven new tees, but Els reckons it will retain its reputation as one of the best and fairest tests of golf on the Open rota.
"The course will still frighten the guys, especially when you get on the first tee because you don't see much else than the rough," Els added.
"There is a strip of fairway down there somewhere, but it is very fair. They have lengthened some of the holes but, with technology now everything is fair. Honestly, the guys will have a great time."
