'I belong here': Open newbie Peake vows he'll be back

Perth Now

2 days ago

Ryan Peake cut a frustrated figure after bowing out of his maiden British Open, but the Australian golfer whose redemption story captivated Royal Portrush reckons his great adventure on the links has persuaded him he belongs among the game's elite.
Peake, the former biker gang member who served jail time for an assault but rebuilt his life through his golfing prowess, had too much to do to make the weekend's action after his first-round 77, despite improving with a two-over 73 on Friday.
"Dry and miserable," sighed the 32-year-old, when asked how he felt after escaping the rain.
"Obviously, it's been a great build-up. I feel we've done the right prep, the venue's been fantastic, the crowds great. The hospitality, treatment side, everyone goes above and beyond to do everything for you. So in that aspect, everything's been great. Just the golf was disappointing.
"I'll reflect on the experience later down the track, but it was disappointing not playing the weekend."
Peake had enjoyed playing alongside his fellow left-hander Phil Mickelson for two rounds, with the six-time major champion qualifying for the weekend again at 55.
"Playing with Phil obviously was great. I was trying to play my game as well, but he was friendly, he was chatting," reflected the man from Perth.
"It's not like I've played this week and think that's the best player I'm ever going to play with or it's the biggest event I'm ever going to play with. I'm not exactly here this week to try and embrace it all as the coolest moment of my life, because I believe I belong here.
"I'm going to keep trying to do it again, and I believe I've got the game to do it. Just this week, I didn't have it, and it's just a little bit disappointing."
But as he reflected on how far he's come since imprisonment, Peake had good reason to feel proud. .
"It was never on the cards (playing in a major). I don't want to come across too miserable and then be sitting here like beating myself up, but for the next little while I'm allowed to be disappointed with the performance that I've done. It's just something else to grow from, I guess.
"It sucks that it's gone this way, but obviously I'm honoured to have had the privilege to do it. Maybe next time will be better."
Peake is determined to build on his first major experience, which he grabbed with his fairytale win in the New Zealand Open in March.
"I've got a busy schedule now," he said. "I'm about to head home back to Perth. I've got about three or four weeks off, and then I'll go over my calendar.
"I've got about 13 events on the back end of Asia that we have to finish this season. So I'll discuss what events I'm going to play and then build into Europe for the end of the year.
"I've got lots to look forward to, but I've got a little bit of work to do after this week as well."