Ex-criminal Ryan Peake qualifies for British Open with New Zealand Open victory | Golf News

Ryan Peake (Pic credit score: New Zealand Open)

Former Australian motorbike gang member Ryan Peake accomplished a shocking redemption story on Sunday, successful the New Zealand Open and securing a spot on this yr’s British Open. The 31-year-old from Perth, who beforehand served a five-year jail time period for assault, held his nerve to assert a one-shot victory on the Millbrook Resort course close to Queenstown. His triumph earned him a berth on the prestigious main in Portrush, Northern Ireland, in July, pending clearance to journey as a convicted legal.
Peake’s emotional celebration on the 18th inexperienced noticed him showered with champagne by mates as he mirrored on a journey few in skilled golf may relate to. Fighting again tears, the closely tattooed left-hander acknowledged the profound impression the game has had on his life.
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“Yeah, I’m pretty lost for words at the moment, life-changing,” Peake mentioned. “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. 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’s path to the event was virtually derailed earlier than it started. Initially delayed by New Zealand immigration officers attributable to his legal document, he solely arrived on Tuesday night time, simply in time for Thursday’s tee-off on the Australasian and Asian Tour co-sanctioned occasion. His previous, which concerned becoming a member of the outlawed Rebels motorbike gang and making a collection of poor selections in his early twenties, continues to current hurdles, as he requires particular journey permission to compete outdoors Australia.
Once on the course, Peake delivered a near-flawless efficiency. After an opening-round 67, he went bogey-free over the ultimate three rounds, carding 64, 64, and 66 to complete on 23-under. His decisive second got here with a birdie on the par-five seventeenth, breaking a four-way tie at 22-under. A clutch seven-foot putt for par on the ultimate gap sealed the win by a single stroke over compatriot Jack Thompson, South African Ian Snyman, and Japan’s Kazuki Higa.
Peake had began the ultimate spherical in second place, 4 pictures behind South Korea’s Koh Gun-taek, who struggled down the stretch, ending with a 72 and settling for fifth place at 21-under. With his victory, Peake not solely claimed a spot on the British Open but in addition pocketed $201,600 in prize cash, marking a exceptional rise for the rookie on the Australasian Tour.