Prison to Portrush: How this former gang member booked a spot on golf’s grandest stage

Ryan Peake turned his back on a life of crime – and now the Australian will tee up in the 153rd Open Championship.

Ryan Peake has just booked a spot in The Open.

Not the most remarkable news, until you hear his backstory.

The Australian holed a 10-footer for par and seal a single-shot victory at the New Zealand Open – a tournament that carries one place at Royal Portrush as part of the Open Qualifying Series.

“I’ve just changed my life,” Peake said in his post-round interview.

The reality is, though, he had done that long before.

It all comes after the 31-year-old spent five years in prison for assault while he was a member of the notorious Rebels motorcycle gang in his homeland.

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As a result of his criminal record, Peake had complications getting a visa to travel to New Zealand, and didn’t arrive at the Millbrook Resort until late on Tuesday, before playing 36 holes on Wednesday to get himself tournament ready.

“I want to be here and just play golf,” Peake explained. “The story is what it is, but I’m just out here playing golf.”

While locked up, renowned coach Ritchie Smith reached out to Peake, who had a promising amateur career alongside the likes of Cameron Smith, and offered to work with him.  

“I always knew I could do it. It was just a matter of time when I was going to do it,” Peake added.

As well as booking his major debut at the 153rd playing of golf’s oldest major, Peake has also earned Asian Tour membership until the end of the 2027 season.