By John Salvado
Former Rebels bikie gang member Ryan Peake has claimed a dramatic and life-changing victory in the $1.8 million New Zealand Open on Sunday.
Peake carded a final round of five-under 66 to finish at 23 under, a shot clear of fellow Australian Jack Thompson (63), South African Ian Snyman (66) and Japan’s Kazuki Higa (66).
Ryan Peake during the final day of the New Zealand Open at Millbrook Resort.Credit: Getty Images
And he did it the hard way, nervelessly rolling in an eight-foot putt on the final hole to clinch the victory before raising his arms in triumph.
The 31-year-old picked up $302,000 for the tournament win and a guaranteed start in the 2025 British Open at Royal Portrush.
Remarkably, Peake was bogey-free through his final 55 holes, despite only laying eyes on the two courses at Millbrook Resort for the first time in the practice round on Wednesday.
Even more extraordinary is Peake’s backstory.
Ryan Peake fought off a strong field to claim a national open win.Credit: Getty Images
As a junior prodigy, he once teamed with Cameron Smith to win the boys’ division of the Trans Tasman trophy as 17-year-olds.
But shortly after turning pro he lost his way. In 2014, Peake received a five-year prison sentence for assault.
With the aid of renowned coach Ritchie Smith and others, Peake then turned his life around without ever hiding from his chequered past.
He received a full card on the Australasian Tour for the first time in 2024-25, and this was his first tournament victory as a professional.
“I always knew I could do it, it was a just a matter of when I was going to do it,” said Peake.
“[Australian PGA winner] Elvis Smylie was in the same predicament not that long ago and our coach Ritchie Smith said it was going to switch, and you’ve just got to commit to it.
“He had the same chat with me after I missed the cut at the Aussie Open and the PGA.
“We set some goals about how to finish the rest of the year.
“Along with my family and my team, everyone believed. And most of all, I believed as well.
“This has changed my life. 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.”
Peake only arrived in Queenstown 36 hours before the tournament began after a hold-up in receiving a special direction order to travel to New Zealand because he is ineligible for a regular visa.
Overnight leader Guntaek Koh from South Korea unravelled on the final day.
After starting the fourth round with a four-shot lead, Koh was overtaken shortly after the turn on Sunday and eventually signed for a two-over 73.
Smylie (69) finished in a tie for 11th to all but secure the 2024-25 Australasian Tour order of merit title.
But Peake could still overtake him if he continues this sort of winning form at the remaining three events of the 2024-25 season, starting with next week’s NZ PGA.
