Former motorcycle gang member Ryan Peak described his New Zealand open victory as a life-changing moment after the victory booked his spot at the open championship.
Australia claimed a one-shot victory at the Millbrook Resort in Queenstown, shooting the final round of 66 and finishing at 23 under. Peak's victory comes after he served in prison for five years for assault when he was part of a rebel biker gang.
He didn't have the visa required to travel to New Zealand for the tournament until the start of the week. As a result, they arrived only on Tuesday before the first round on Thursday. By winning the title, the 31-year-old won a spot at this year's Open Championship, which will be held at Royal Portrush in July.
“I've just changed my life, and this is what I'm doing,” Peak told the New Zealand open website. “I want to be here and just play golf. The story is what it is, but I'm just playing golf here.”
Peak played amateur golf as a young man, but while in prison, he was contacted by coach Richie Smith and asked if he wanted to be competitive. “I always knew I could do it, and it was just a matter of time before I was going to do it,” Peak added.
