The name of the Australian golfer Ryan Peake was a trend in the last hours. It is that his life took a 180 -degree turn: after being a member of a motorcyclist gang, he fulfilled a long penalty in prison and was classified to British Open thanks to his victory in New Zealand this Sunday.
Peake, 31, validated his ticket for the tournament that will be held in Northern Ireland from July 17 to 20, on condition of obtaining a travel authorization, mandatory for being formerly condemned.
“I can’t find words, it is a change in my life,” said the Australian, containing tears.
Ryan Peake was about not participating in the tournament, after Neozylalands immigration agents delayed their entry into the territory for their sentence in 2014, at 21, for a violent aggression.
At that time, Peake entered a motorcyclist gang called Rebels that was dedicated to criminal activities and was sentenced to five years in prison for aggression.
During the last months of his prison sentence, Peake was contacted by the famous coach Ritchie Smith, who encouraged him to play golf again, a sport in which he had been promising during his youth.
Peake understood that it had been a bad decision to join a motorcycle gang and decided to play golf again.
“It is a great story, a great moment. It’s a matter of faith. I always knew that I could do it, it was just a matter of time until I got it. That’s what I do now. I have changed my life. My story is what it is, but I am here to play golf,” he said after the victory.
Peake signed a final round of 66 strokes, five under the pair, to finish with -23 at the Milbrook Golf Resort, in Queenstown, in the ORGANIZED TOURNAMENT OPR THE CHALLENGER PGA TOUR OF AUSTALASIA AND THE ASIAN TOUR IN ASSOCIATION WITH JAPAN GOLF TOUR.
“Getting here is already winning because it takes away a weight on my shoulders to have a new seal in my passport,” said Peake, happy for having won the respect of his rivals.
“They have shown me so much love and respect, I am very grateful to you,” he concluded.