NZ Open: Former Rebels Bikie member Ryan Peake secures first win

A former Rebels bikie member who spent five years in prison completed one of the most remarkable sporting stories after winning his first professional tournament since being released.

Ryan Peake during the final round. Photo: Andrew Cornaga / Photosport

The day Ryan Peake looked into his jail cell mirror, with graffiti scratched onto it and another day wasted in the greybar hotel, he might never have thought he would stand over this eight-foot putt.

He’s practised eight foot putts nearly all his life. Makes a lot, misses some, most without any real consequence.

But this eight foot putt was, in a moment, to make sure his new life was complete. He’s a professional golfer, and one that can win a really big tournament. It means he can comfortably do this for years to come.

“I think just by getting here, I’ve kind of already won as well,” said Peake, a former patched Rebels bikie member who is now also a New Zealand Open champion.

“It’s just like another monkey off the back and getting another stamp on the passport for me. I’m lost for words.”

If he’s lost for them, we’ll try to put them into context.

It’s not a stretch to say in the picturesque Queenstown, one of the most remarkable sporting stories seen for years was written on Sunday.

Peake was once so talented he played on junior teams with Cameron Smith, but he fell out of love with golf and in love with trouble.

His mum was so concerned for his welfare, she was relieved he was sent to jail for assault. He thought it was “cool” at the time, but reality hits at some stage. It hits doubly as hard when you have to spend five years in prison greens.

He’s never shied away from his story, and in an interview with News Corp last week, Peake wanted to make sure his ordeal is a lesson for others.

“Anything I did, I always accepted,” he said. “I didn’t have any self care for myself.

“It’s just the realisation of what you’ve done for your friends and family. You don’t realise the stress and strain you’ve put on their life as well. It’s not until you get wiser about the situation.

“I brought all that stuff upon myself. I never felt sorry for myself.”

Peake celebrates his win. Photo: Michael Thomas / Photosport

But the ramifications, even now, are still being felt.

Peake, 31, needed a special order just to get into New Zealand this week. It was only granted in time for him to fly into Queenstown on Tuesday evening. By then all his rivals had had one or two practice rounds.

On Wednesday, Peake slogged through 36 holes of Millbrook’s Remarkables and Coronet courses just so he could see them before he played each during his first two rounds. He was tired, but never complained.

By Sunday, he started four shots behind leader, Korean Guntaek Koh (-21). What’s four shots to make up in a round of golf when you lost five years of your life?

Peake (-23) was in a four-way tie for the lead once he stood on the 17th tee. Somehow, you knew he would win.

He made birdie on the penultimate hole with the power of a woodchopper to reach the green in two and the touch of a surgeon, lagging a downhill eagle attempt from 50 feet to tap-in range, then played extra safe with his approach into the par-three closer, a green enveloped with water. He chipped, nervously, to set up that eight-foot putt.

This one, he made.

“Life changing,” he said after pumping his fists in the air to celebrate. “I knew I could do it, it was just a matter of time when I would do it.

“Elvis Smylie was in the same predicament not that long ago. Our coach Ritchie Smith said, ‘it’s going to switch. You’ve just got to commit to it.’

“Along with my family, my team, everyone believed. Most of all, I believed as well. I’ve just changed my life. This is what I do. I want to be here and play golf. My story is what it is.”

Ryan Peake after his winning putt. Photo: Steve McArthur / www.photosport.nz

The story now says he eventually won the $1.8 million event by one shot from South Australian Jack Thomson, South Africa’s Ian Snyman and Japan’s Kazuki Higa, who all finished at 22-under.

Peake said he hasn’t had a drink this year, and wasn’t sure if this movie-script-in-waiting would change that. He can comfortably look in the mirror now and know it won’t be scratched again. He can also like what he sees.

Now, he can plan a trip to the British Open in July for his first major appearance as part of his spoils and a full card for the Asian Tour. There will be more immigration hurdles to jump, but that’s OK.

Because after an eight-foot putt he never thought he would have, his mum knows he will be safe with his new life.

ROUND 3 REVIEW

Elvis Smylie took a stranglehold on the PGA Tour of Australasia order of merit title as Korea’s Guntaek Koh threatened to run away with the New Zealand Open in Queenstown.

Australian PGA Championship winner Smylie, who already holds a DP World Tour card courtesy of his victory at Royal Queensland in November, is edging towards more major starts later this year after climbing the leaderboard at Millbrook on Saturday.

The 22-year-old fired a six-under 65 in his third round, leaving him with an outside chance of claiming the New Zealand Open at the picturesque venue on the south island.

Smylie (-16) started the week in top spot on the order of merit, but had the threat of Lucas Herbert teeing it up this week, with a victory for the LIV Golf star allowing him to challenge Smylie.

But with Herbert (-10) dropping out of contention in his second round – he shot a five-under 66 to steady the ship on Saturday – Smylie can all but seal a first order of merit success after a breakthrough six months.

READ MORE: Freakish Ponting unleashes shot of a lifetime at New Zealand Open

Elvis Smylie tees off during day two of the New Zealand Open. Picture: Getty Images

“I haven’t looked at the order of merit projected standings or anything,” Smylie said. “I know the golf will take care of itself.

“It’s still a goal of mine to finish on top of that. I’ve said that since October. I’ll just keep doing what I’m doing, and we’ll see what happens.

“It would be special to come back (from six behind to also win this tournament). I know I can do that and it’s definitely motivating.”

But it will be a stretch to catch Koh (-22), who holed out from the middle of the fairway for eagle on the par-four 12th of Millbrook’s composite course to surge four shots clear of Western Australian Ryan Peake (-18).

Korea’s Guntaek Koh during round three of the NZ Open. Picture: Michael Thomas / Photosport

Koh started the day three shots ahead of James Marchesani (-15), but quickly built on that lead with birdies on his first three holes.

His closest challenger is Peake, whose remarkable comeback story gathers pace this season.

Peake had to delay his entry into New Zealand until Tuesday night as he awaited immigration approval after spending five years in prison as a former Rebels bikie, and has been candid about turning his life around in recent years.

Australia’s Ryan Peake during round three of the NZ Open. Picture: Michael Thomas / Photosport

“I’ll reflect on all that (the late arrival into Queenstown) after the tournament, but in the meantime I’m mid tournament going into a final round,” Peake said. “I’m here just trying to do my job and I want to make sure I get that done.

“I’m doing well to make a score from where I am. I just need to start hitting some more fairways.”

Peake signed for a seven-under 64 to move into outright second, a shot ahead of Japan’s Kazuki Higa, South Africa’s Ian Snyman and China’s Bobby Bai, who are tied third at 17-under.

Originally published as NZ Open: Former Rebels Bikie member Ryan Peake secures first win