Former motorcycle gang member earns Open berth

A former motorcycle gang member, who has spent time in jail, has qualified for this summer’s Open Championship.

Ryan Peake, 31, punched his ticket for Royal Portrush after winning the New Zealand Open.

It is as far removed from how the left-hander’s life looked a decade ago as one can imagine.

Aged 21, Peake was a member of outlawed motorcycle gang The Rebels and was sentenced to five years in prison for his part in a serious assault.

Due to his prior conviction, he will require clearance to travel to Northern Ireland to compete for the Claret Jug this July.

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The Australasian Tour rookie almost missed the tournament that got him there after his arrival in New Zealand was delayed by immigration officials.

““I’ve just changed my life,” said Peake, a former junior golf contemporary of 2022 Open champ Cam Smith. “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 when I was going to do it.”

Peake made a point of praising his coach Ritchie Smith. The man who helped Elvis Smylie win on the DP World Tour late last year, Smith contacted Peake during his incarceration, encouraging him to get back into golf.

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They have worked together since his release, enduring many peaks and troughs, culminating in victory in New Zealand.

“Elvis Smylie was in the same predicament not too long ago and our coach, Ritchie Smith, said it was going to switch and that you’ve just got to commit to it,” added Peake.

“He had the same chat with me when I missed the cut at the Aussie Open and the Aussie PGA.

“We set out some goals of how we wanted to finish off the rest of the year and along with my family, my team, everyone believed. But most of all I believed as well.”

Michael McEwan is bunkered's Head of Content and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Head of Content