Ryan Peake’s comeback story reached a new height Sunday.
The 31-year-old Australian won the 2025 New Zealand Open on Sunday, earning a spot in the field at the 2025 Open Championship at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland. The lefty holed a 10-footer for par on the par-3 18th to win by one shot.
What’s even more impressive is the journey that led to Peake’s incredible victory Sunday.
Ten years ago when he was 21, Peake was a member of the Rebels, an Australian bike gang, and he was sent to prison for five years for assault. Growing up, Peake was a competitive amateur, playing alongside 2022 Open Championship winner Cameron Smith in Australia. While in prison, coach Ritchie Smith reached out and asked whether Peake wanted to play competitive golf again. Peake said yes, and now he’s going to make his first Open Championship start.
‘I’ve just changed my life,’ Peake said after the win. ‘This is what I do. I want to be here and just play golf. The story is what it is but I’m just out here playing golf … I always knew I could do it. It was just a matter of time of when I was going to do it.’
His criminal record still follows him to this day. He had visa issues entering New Zealand this week and didn’t even get into the country until Tuesday evening. He will also have to get clearance to travel to Northern Ireland this July.
He went bogey free over his final 55 holes, shooting 5-under 66 on Sunday to finish at 23 under for the week, earning his Asian Tour card in the process. This year, Peake earned his Australasian Tour card for the first time.
Peake’s comeback story is one of the best in golf, and he gets to write a new chapter in his story this summer.
‘Yeah, I’m pretty lost for words at the moment, (the win is) life-changing,’ Peake said. ‘It’s one hell of a story, one hell of a moment.’