Former Australian motorcycle gang member-turned-golfer Ryan Peake, who served a lengthy jail term for assault, yesterday produced a “life-changing” maiden win to qualify for The Open Championship.
Peake held his nerve for a one-stroke victory at the New Zealand Open, earning him a berth at the major in Portrush, Northern Ireland, in July, pending clearance to travel as a convicted criminal.
The 31-year-old from Perth celebrated animatedly and was showered with champagne by friends on the 18th green of the Millbrook Resort course near Queenstown after a redemption story rarely seen in the refined sport of golf.
Photo: AFP / Andrew Cornaga / Photosport.nz via New Zealand Open
Peake held back tears as he admitted a focus on golf had turned his life around — he would now have an exemption on to the Asian Tour, which co-sanctioned the event with the Australasian Tour.
“Yeah, I’m pretty lost for words at the moment, life-changing,” the heavily tattooed Peake said.
“It’s one hell of a story, one hell of a moment. Just belief. I always knew I could do it, it was just a matter of time when I was going to do it,” he said. “This is what I do now. I want to be here and just play golf. The story is what it is, but I’m just out here playing golf.”
Peake nearly did not contest the tournament, having been initially delayed from entering in New Zealand by immigration officials because of his conviction in 2014 for a serious assault as a 21-year-old.
He was sentenced to five years in prison, the culmination of what he has said were a series of bad decisions that had seen him join an outlawed motorcycle gang, the Rebels.
Near the end of his prison stint, he was contacted by Western Australian golf coach Ritchie Smith, who urged him to resume what had been a promising career as a junior.
The conviction means Peake needs dispensation to travel to tournaments outside Australia.
“Just by getting here, I’d kind of already won because it was just like another monkey off the back, getting another stamp on that passport for me,” he said.
After a solid opening round of 67 on Thursday, the left-hander was flawless thereafter as he went bogey-free over the final three rounds of 64, 64 and 66 to climb through the field and finish on 23-under.
The Australasian Tour rookie said earning the respect of his peers was just as valuable the US$201,600 winner’s check.
“They’ve just shown me so much love and respect, and I’m very grateful for it,” he said.
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