QUEENSTOWN, New Zealand — A former member of an Australian motorcycle gang, Ryan Peake, has turned his life around, marking a remarkable achievement by securing a place in the prestigious British Open. The turning point came as he clinched the title at the 104th New Zealand Open, concluding Sunday with a narrow one-stroke victory.
The Western Australian, aged 31, described the victory as “life-changing” after he successfully made an essential 8-foot par putt on the final, 72nd hole. This decisive putt allowed him to steer clear of a potential four-way tie with rivals Jack Thompson from Australia, Ian Snyman from South Africa, and Japan’s Kazuki Higi.
Peake’s impressive final round of 66 left him at an outstanding 23-under-par finish, earning him approximately $112,000 or 200,479 NZD in winnings.
Interestingly, Peake’s journey in golf began in earnest during his youth as a promising junior golfer alongside Cameron Smith. However, his ascent was hindered by a conviction for assault, leading to a five-year sentence when he was just 21. He had also been involved with Australia’s infamous Rebels gang, which contributed to the complexities around his travel clearances to New Zealand.
Upon his release from imprisonment, Peake embarked on a journey back to the sport he loved, aided by renowned coach Richie Smith and bolstered by his family’s support. This season, he secured an Australasian tour card, paving the way for his first professional triumph.
Reflecting on his victory, Peake remarked, “I always knew I could do it but it was just a matter of when. Everyone around me, my family, and my team, believed in this, and most importantly, so did I.”
Peake faced a challenging start, trailing behind overnight leader Guntaek Koh from South Korea by four strokes as he entered the final round at Queenstown’s Milbrook Resort. Peake seized the lead on the 67th hole, maintaining a notable streak by going 55 consecutive holes without a bogey.
Expressing his newfound perspective, Peake stated, “I’ve just changed my life. This is what I do. I just want to be here and play golf. The story is what it is. But I’m just out here playing golf.”
