From prison to the British Open: Ryan Peake's remarkable turnaround
The burly Australian, who served five years in jail for assault and was released in 2019, shot a five-under-par 66 to secure a one-shot victory.
Ryan Peake, a former member of the outlawed Rebels motorcycle gang, completed a remarkable transformation from prisoner to professional golf champion by winning the 104th edition of the New Zealand Open in Queenstown on Sunday, 1 march.
The burly Australian, who served five years in jail for assault and was released in 2019, shot a five-under-par 66 to secure a one-shot victory. His total score of 23-under 261 at Millbrook Resort earned him his first title in his debut season on the PGA Tour of Australasia.
A perfectly judged eagle putt at the 17th helped the left-hander break free from a four-way tie with compatriot Jack Thompson (63), South Africa's Ian Snyman (66) and Japan's Higa Kazuki (66). Peake held his nerve to sink a six-foot par putt at the final hole, securing the winner's cheque from the $1.12 million co-sanctioned Asian Tour event and a place in this year's British Open at Royal Portrush.
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"It's life-changing," said the tattooed 31-year-old, who celebrated with a roar as his ball found the cup. "I always knew I could do it, it was just a matter of time. My coach, my family, my team, everyone believed. Most of all, I believed as well.
"Just changed my life. This is what I do, I want to be here and just play golf. The (back)story is what it is, but I'm just out here playing golf."
Peake had shown promise as a young golfer before leaving the sport in his late teens and joining the gang, which the Australian government deems a criminal organisation. His path to redemption began when coach Ritchie Smith contacted him in prison, encouraging him to return to golf upon his release.
His journey to Queenstown was not without challenges. Due to his criminal record, Peake needed special permission to travel outside Australia, which delayed his arrival. Despite limited practice time, he remained focused.
"I think just by getting here, I'd kind of already won," Peake said. "It was like another monkey off the back, just getting another stamp on that passport for me."
Thompson, Snyman, and Higa shared second place at 22-under, while South Korea's Koh Gun-taek, who had led by four shots going into the final round, finished fifth on 21-under.
