It has been a long road to redemption for Australian golfer Ryan Peake, who spent five years in prison before turning his life around and earning a place the 2025 Open Championship in the UK.
In 2014, at just 21, Peake became involved with the Rebels outlaw motorcycle gang in Western Australia.
That same year, he took part in a violent assault on a rival gang member that left the victim with a fractured skull.
Peake was arrested weeks later and sentenced to five years in prison for assault causing grievous bodily harm.
He served his time at Hakea Prison, where he began to reflect on his life and slowly reconnect with his old passion for golf – encouraged by former coach Ritchie Smith.
After his release from prison in 2019, Ryan Peake committed himself to rebuilding his life through golf.
Australian golfer Ryan Peake turned around his criminal past and became a professional golfer, earning his place at the Open Championship in the UK
Peake was paired with five-time major winner Phil Mickelson for the opening round of the championship
It has been a major turnaround for Peake, who used to be in a motorcycle gang before landing in prison
He trained quietly for years, supported by Smith, working as a greenskeeper to stay close to the game while refining his swing and mindset.
In 2024, his comeback became real when he secured a spot at the New Zealand Open, marking a remarkable return to professional golf.
Peake earned his place at the 2025 Open Championship by claiming victory in his second crack at the New Zealand Open this year, his first professional title, which granted him automatic entry via the Open Qualifying Series.
His eligibility was further confirmed when he secured the necessary clearance and used his British passport, inherited through his father, to qualify for the UK field.
As if lining up against the world’s best was not enough, Peake then realised that he would be playing alongside golfing great Phil Mickelson.
‘I don’t think he needs to introduce himself; I was well aware of who he was,’ Peake said after the five-time major winner walked up to introduce himself.
‘But obviously I was nervous. I wouldn’t say nervous because I was playing next to Phil. It’s just, I guess, your first major and things like that. But I’ve just got to get better at that.’
The occasion got the better of Peake this time, though, with the Aussie revealing he couldn’t help but get a memento from the occasion.
Peake had a tough day on the course, but is hoping for a better day when he takes on the second round
Mickelson’s caddie was handing out golf balls to fans in the crowd, with Peake asking ‘what about me?’.
‘He had a laugh, thought I was being sarcastic, and he said, ‘are you serious?’, and I said, ‘no, I’m deadly serious’. I said, ‘can you sign a glove as well?’.
‘He’s your hero growing up. My own boy is out here this week and he loves him as well. I’m not going to ask him on the 1st tee, but I’ll ask him after the round.’
Despite earning the rare opportunity to play alongside golfing royalty, Peake said he resisted getting tips to improve his game – even as he sunk to a disappointing six-over par 77 in the first round.
‘I would have known I was in a bad place if he’d come over and started offering me help,’ Peake said.
‘I know everyone is going to look at it and say you take the experience in and stuff like that, but obviously very disappointed with the round. Not what I want.’
Overall it was a disappointing day for the Aussies, with leading hopes Cameron Smith and Adam Scott way down the field, tied for 45th place heading into today’s second round.
