The Australian golfer Ryan Peake has officially transformed his life.
The 31-year-old qualified for the championship opened on Sunday with a victory for New Zealand Open, five years after spending half a decennia in prison.
Peake was a member of the Rebels motorcycle gang and was found guilty of assault at the age of 21. He had been a teammate of 2022 Golfer champion of the year Cameron Smith at the time of his conviction.
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Ryan Peake of Australia famous after winning New Zealand 2025 open at Millbrook Resort on March 2, 2025 in Queenstown, New Zealand. (Hannah Peters / Getty Images)
After leaving the prison, he returned to the golf course and began to rebuild his career with the help of the leading coach Richie Smith and with the support of his family.
He received his Australasian tour card this season, and it was his first professional victory.
“I always knew I could do it, but it was just a question of when I was going to do it,” said Peake. “With my family and my team, everyone believed and especially that I also believed.”
Former winner of the open championship Ian Baker-Finch congratulates Ryan Peake of Australia after winning New Zealand 2025 open, qualifying him for the next championship open to Millbrook Resort on March 2, 2025, in Queenstown, New Zealand. (Hannah Peters / Getty Images)
The star of the PGA Tour Billy Offcom Shoos Gator out of the course with Golf Club in the Wild scene
Peake has dragged the leader of the South Korea Guna Koh night by four strokes before the last Sunday round at the Queenstown Milbrook Resort. He took the lead for the first time on the 67th hole and made 55 holes without Bogey.
“I just changed my life,” said Peake. “That’s what I do. I just want to be here and play golf. The story is what it is. But I’m just here playing golf.”
The majors have seen their fair share of wild stories, perhaps more recently the performance of Michael Block in the PGA 2023 championship.
Ryan Peake of Australia famous with the New Zealand Trophy after winning the New Zealand Open 2025. (Hannah Peters / Getty Images)
A professional club, Block suddenly found himself in the running during the weekend, and during his last round associated with Rory McILroy, he hit a hole in one.
The others convicted of transforming their lives into sport include the 2010 American League MVP Josh Hamilton, and the former LEVER MLB Matt Bush.
