Former prisoner and ex-biker gang member Ryan Peake punched his ticket to this year’s Open Championship with a victory at the New Zealand Open.
Trailing by four shots heading into the final round, Peake shot a bogey-free final-round 66 to to finish on 23 under par and claim a one-shot victory.
The 72nd hole saw the Australian pour in a nervy 10-foot par putt to claim the victory, with Peake roaring in delight as he took home the trophy and £99,500 winner’s cheque.
Perhaps more importantly, though, Peake’s victory earned him a spot in his first ever major championship at the Open in Portrush.
The feat marks the latest chapter in a remarkable redemption act for the 31-year-old who previously served five years in prison for assault.
Once a talented amateur player and junior teammate of 2022 Open Champion Cameron Smith, Peake fell away from the sport and ended up part of outlawed Australian biker gang, ‘The Rebels’.
But after being released and initially working in mines, the Aussie left-hander rekindled his love for the sport and professional ambitions after being contacted by coach Ritchie Smith while he was still behind bars.
‘I’ve just changed my life. This is what I do. I want to be here and just play golf. The story is what it is, but I’m just out here playing golf,’ a jubilant Peake reflected after his win.
‘I always knew I could do it, it was just a matter of time when I was going to do it. From this morning when I woke up four shots behind, to chase down a win. One hell of a moment.
‘Subconsciously, I’m obviously proud of myself, proud for the things that I’m doing for my family and my friends.
‘But I’m also proud of where I’ve come from as well. I’ve still got lots of friends, love and support. I can change my actions, but I still am who I am.’
Peake’s road to victory at Millbrook Resort in Queenstown was complicated earlier in the week when visa issues meant he was only cleared to travel to New Zealand two days before the tournament’s start.
His previous conviction will also mean he needs clearance to travel to the Open in July which takes place at Northern Ireland’s iconic Portrush course.
‘I think just by getting here, I’d kind of already won, because it was just like another monkey off the back, just getting another stamp on that passport for me,’ Peake added.
‘I can’t get a visa to travel here, so I’ve got to travel on a special direction order. It got granted on the Monday but it took three flights from then that I couldn’t get on.
‘But credit to New Zealand Immigration as well. I thought I was getting stonewalled and wasn’t going to be getting here but they were actually doing everything in the background to get me here.’
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