Slow and steady may well win the race at Muirfield this week and that’s just how John Senden likes it.

The 42-year-old Australian is known for his patient, conservative approach to golf and he feels it will hold him in good stead as he chases a maiden major title on the demanding British Open links course.

“I really enjoy that process of being patient with yourself and making sure you are putting yourself in the right positions and thinking about these major championship courses,” Senden told AAP.

“This is a classic course for having to leave yourself in the best positions that you can.

“If you make one mistake, don’t make two in a row.

“If you’re in the rough, don’t try and be the hero and get it on the green.

“Put it back in play, put it in a smart place and don’t let the big numbers rack up.”

While Senden says his form has been indifferent this year, he feels two of his best performances were at the majors.

He was tied for 35th at the Masters and was in contention early before finishing tied 15th at last month’s US Open.

Senden, whose best major result is tied fourth at the 2007 PGA Championship, has been in the mix at some big tournaments before fading away.

However he’s confident he knows what’s required to take the next step.

“It’s about the belief. The belief that you can go out there on that stage and believe that you can hold the trophy at the end of the week,” he said.

“I believe it. I want it. It’s about doing it and knowing it and that’s the biggest thing that every player’s got to work the hardest at.

“That’s what I’m working on.”