It would be fair to say that Nick Faldo .

. . sorry, Sir Nick Faldo . . . and certain sections of the press pack have not seen eye to eye down the years. In the kind of love-hate relationship that would make Fatal Attraction look like an episode of Steptoe and Son, the crumbling alliance would reach its nadir at Muirfield in 1992. That was the Open Championship in which Faldo would claim his third and final Claret Jug and he did not forget those members of the fourth estate for their, ahem, unwavering support, shall we say.

"What can I say about the press?" he said in a rambling victory speech. "I thank them from the bottom of my . . . from the heart of my bottom, maybe."

Yesterday, 21 years on from that infamous jibe, Faldo's posterior was parked in the Muirfield media centre as he chatted away with the current gathering of golfing scribblers. He didn't quite pour his heart out but he seemed in fine fettle. It was all fairly amicable and so it should be. This is Faldo's first Open Championship since St Andrews in 2010. In fact, it will be his first taste of competitive action for three years. The memories of Muirfield remain strong, though; strong enough, in fact, to drag this 55-year-old Knight of the Realm out of golfing hibernation. That he celebrates his 56th birthday on the opening day of the 142nd championship has only added to the sense of occasion.

That last Open appearance three years ago, when he missed the cut comfortably in the Auld Grey Toon after an 81, left Faldo somewhat scunnered – "I didn't enjoy it and I really thought that was about it" – but this neck of the woods has lifted the spirits and thoughts of a return to East Lothian provided the catalyst for a comeback.

"I was asked recently what my favourite course was and how I would create my favourite course," recalled Faldo, who is more of a recreational golfer these days and is heavily involved in the broadcasting game. "I started off and I wanted a Pebble Beach coastline, and the pines of Augusta and the links and atmosphere of St Andrews. And then I thought of memorability and I thought 'wow, I've got a special place here, the 18th green at Muirfield'. I ended up thinking about it and that won it in my heart and mind. That maybe sewed some seeds. I was in my gym at home and thought 'you're just strong enough to have a go'. It might be the last chance I get to walk with fellow Open champions. The bottom line is that, by the end of the week, I'm inspired and want to play again."

Faldo may be yesterday's man but he still has his opinions on today's crop. As usual, Tiger Woods has slipped into a major championship as the favourite but a niggling elbow injury has meant he has not played competitively since June's US Open and the shadow of Jack Nicklaus's record haul of 18 majors still looms over him. Stuck on 14 since 2008, Woods, a winner of three Open Championships, has been winless in his last 16 majors despite capturing just about everything else in a determined clamber back to the top of the world rankings. The Players' Championship, WGC events, you name it, Woods has won it.

"Tiger is in a different mode when he is winning regular tournaments," observed Faldo, who won six majors in all during a glittering, trailblazing career. "But he gets to the majors and something happens. As I call it, the self belief you have to have, maybe there's a little dent in there? He hits the wrong shot at the wrong time where before, Tiger would hit the right shot at the right time."

And what of that other superstar who is toiling this season? Rory McIlroy, the world No.2 who topped the money lists on both sides of the Atlantic last season, has been a shadow of his 2012 self this year. A switch of clubs, management company issues, no wins in 2013 and constant questions to answer? It has been a trying time for golf's boy wonder.

"I think it's a lot going on in his mind," added Faldo. "You need 100% concentration, on the course and off it as well when you're practising. The most ideal thing I can think of is to go to the club at nine in the morning, hit balls all day long and leave at five in the evening. And you think that was cool, that was great. You had a lovely day and you've been really productive. You have a window of opportunity. Those are my only words of wisdom to Rory. You can have say a 20-year window as an athlete and you concentrate on that, nothing else. Hopefully, when you retire in your 40s or 50s, you have another 40 years to enjoy it. So just concentrate on golf for now."

McIlroy will have to do that this week. Firm, fast and with unforgiving rough, Muirfield is playing just the way the Royal & Ancient high command want it to. This is not a place for those struggling to find form. "You've got to hit it solid," Faldo declared. "Any mis-hits, the bounce is 30 yards off line or it's in the hay. There's no options here. It's hard and fast. It's like a main road out there."

As re-introductions to competitive golf go, Faldo couldn't have picked a more robust, exacting examination. He'll be joined by two golden oldies, Fred Couples and the great Tom Watson. It will be quite a three-ball. "When you come and see the test they've prepared for you, then you start thinking grand ideas of survival and how close to the cut I could get," said Faldo, who last made the cut at St Andrews in 2005 and went on to share 11th.

"That would be impressive for a guy who hasn't hit a competitive shot for three years. I'm delighted with my draw. If I'm feeling intense, I'll talk to Tom. If I want to feel relaxed, I'll talk to Freddie. It would be quite an achievement if I could hover close to the cut."

If he manages that, then at least the press won't have to worry about a victory speech.