New Zealand Open | Ex-criminal Peake qualifies for British Open with maiden win
The Hindu
Former criminal Ryan Peake wins New Zealand Open, earns British Open spot, overcoming past to triumph in golf.
Former Australian motorcycle gang member Ryan Peake, who served a lengthy jail term for assault, produced a "life-changing" victory in New Zealand on Sunday (March 2, 2025) to qualify for this year's British Open.
Peake held his nerve for a maiden one-shot 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.
Peake held back tears as he admitted a focus on golf had turned his life around.
"Yeah, I'm pretty lost for words at the moment, life-changing," the 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.
"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."
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