I've just changed my life – Ex-biker gang member Ryan Peake books Open place
Former motorcycle gang member Ryan Peake described his New Zealand Open triumph as a life-changing moment after victory booked his spot at the Open Championship.
The Australian claimed a one-shot win at Millbrook Resort in Queenstown, shooting a final-round 66 to finish on 23 under par.
Peake's victory comes after he served five years in prison for assault when he was a part of the Rebels biker gang.
Ryan Peake has booked his ticket to @TheOpen at Royal Portrush in July ✨
📸 @PhotosportNZ #NZOpen pic.twitter.com/oV03MEhaEU
— New Zealand Open (@NZOpenGolf) March 2, 2025
He did not have the necessary visa to travel to New Zealand for the tournament until the start of the week and, as a result, only arrived on Tuesday ahead of the first round on Thursday.
By winning the title the 31-year-old has earned a spot at this year's Open Championship, which takes place at Royal Portrush in July.
'I've just changed my life. This is what I do,' Peake said on the New Zealand Open website.
What a finish! 🏆
Ryan Peake takes out the 2025 #NZOpen pic.twitter.com/0xD28vVQEv
— PGA of Australia (@PGAofAustralia) March 2, 2025
'I want to be here and just play golf. The story is what it is, but I'm just out here playing golf.'
Peake had played amateur golf in his youth and, during his time in prison, was contacted by coach Ritchie Smith to ask if he wanted to play competitively.
'I always knew I could do it. It was just a matter of time when I was going to do it,' Peake added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Arne Slot gave telling response to Thomas Frank compliment as Tottenham appointment nears
Tottenham is closing in on the appointment of Thomas Frank as the club's new manager after parting ways with Ange Postecoglou last week. Spurs took the decision to move forward without the Australian manager, despite the club winning its first piece of silverware since 2008 by beating Manchester United in the Europa League final last month. Ultimately, Tottenham's league form cost Postecoglou his job, as the North London outfit finished in 17th position after losing 22 of its 38 Premier League games. Advertisement Spurs has identified Frank as the man to replace Postecoglou, and the Danish coach is somebody who Liverpool boss Arne Slot has a lot of respect for. READ MORE: Liverpool transfer news LIVE: Florian Wirtz medical, Milos Kerkez talks, Darwin Nunez future READ MORE: How Liverpool should spend $171M if Florian Wirtz transfer collapses After Frank described Liverpool as "the best team in the world" in January, Slot said: "His (Frank's) opinion means something to me because he has shown at Brentford how well he has done for so many years without spending crazy amounts of money." Frank's exact quote about Liverpool was: 'We just played City and Arsenal and now Liverpool, in a short amount of time. For me they're a level above the two teams. They're complete. Advertisement 'Their work ethic, the way they track back, are good indicators. They're so good all over the pitch. Such a threat going forward. These are really, really good. It's the best team in the Premier League and the world. They're huge favorites to win it (the title)." While Slot had some kind words to say about Frank in January, the soon-to-be new Spurs manager was not alone in receiving praise from the Reds' head coach: Slot also showered the axed Postecoglou with praise ahead of Liverpool's Carabao Cup semi-final meeting with Tottenham earlier this year. 'They (Tottenham) have always been a certain brand of football for me and have a certain identity," Slot said. "I think Ange Postecoglou gives them that identity back completely. Ange is doing great work over there. I hope this is seen a bit more. I also hope, hope, hope that he wins a trophy. 'I'm completely a fan of his team for the Europa League because people always talk about trophies and that it's so important. For his brand of football and his style, it is so much more important and if he can combine that with winning something that would be so good for football in general because people can stop talking about it's too attacking or whatever. How on earth can you play too [much] attacking football?'
USA Today
4 hours ago
- USA Today
50 arrests, 600 non-lethal rounds fired: LAPD says they can handle the protests
50 arrests, 600 non-lethal rounds fired: LAPD says they can handle the protests LAPD says they have made 50 arrests and fired over non-lethal rounds to quell fraught protests. Charges against demonstrators include attempted murder with a Molotov cocktail. Show Caption Hide Caption Active-duty marines deployed for Los Angeles anti-ICE protests President Donald Trump is sending in active-duty Marines to assist law enforcement with immigration protests in Los Angeles, California. Officials at the Los Angeles Police Department said Monday that despite violent demonstrations, local police can handle whatever protesters throw at them and that additional federal help is unnecessary and could become a hindrance. 'The possible arrival of federal military forces in Los Angeles - absent clear coordination - presents a significant logistical and operational challenge for those of us charged with safeguarding this city,' Police Chief Jim McDonnell said in a statement. 'The Los Angeles Police Department, alongside our mutual aid partners, have decades of experience managing large-scale public demonstrations, and we remain confident in our ability to do so professionally and effectively.' McDonnell's statement comes amid the administration of President Donald Trump saying that the city is out of control. 'Due to increased threats to federal law enforcement officers and federal buildings, approximately 700 active-duty U.S. Marines . . . are being deployed to Los Angeles to restore order,' Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said in a post on X. 'We have an obligation to defend federal law enforcement officers - even if Gavin Newsom will not,' Hegseth said of the California governor. In addition to the 700 Marines, a Pentagon spokesperson said 2,000 National Guardsmen were ordered to Los Angeles. Trump already ordered 2,000 guardsmen to the city. LAPD has admitted that things have gotten hectic. Officers have fired over 600 non-lethal bullets and made 50 arrests. On Saturday, LAPD said 29 people were arrested for failing to follow orders to disperse. 21 people were arrested Sunday. Charges against them included attempted murder with a Molotov cocktail and assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer, LAPD said. Police said officers used tear gas on the 'hostile crowd' as well as over 600 rounds of non-lethal bullets. Among those hit was an Australian journalist covering the protests. But the office of Governor Gavin Newsom has said that Trump's move to put National Guardsmen and Marines in Los Angeles has provoked the worst of the unrest. Newsome announced Monday that an additional 800 state and local police officers would be deployed to Los Angeles to handle confrontations between protestors and national guardsmen that were sent in 'illegally,' according to the governor's office. Karen Bass, LA's mayor, backed Newsom: 'While Washington choreographed these chaotic events, the LAPD and local law enforcement continue to effectively respond.' At least five Los Angeles Police officers received minor injuries, according to LAPD. Five police horses also 'were targeted and sustained minor injuries.' Police said protest groups used handheld radios 'to coordinate and evade law enforcement.'
USA Today
7 hours ago
- USA Today
After UFC 316 win, Quillan Salkilld wants to bring pound-for-pound best ‘stache to Perth
After UFC 316 win, Quillan Salkilld wants to bring pound-for-pound best 'stache to Perth Show Caption Hide Caption UFC 316: Quillan Salkilld post-fight interview UFC 316 winner Quillan Salkilld spoke to MMA Junkie and reporters post-fight after his unanimous decision victory over Yanal Ashmouz. NEWARK, N.J. – Quillan Salkilld met the media Saturday after his win over Yanal Ashmouz at UFC 316. Salkilld (9-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC) outworked Ashmouz (8-2 MMA, 2-2 UFC) for a unanimous decision on the preliminary card at Prudential Center. The Australian lightweight prospect landed eight takedowns and had more than seven minutes of control time in the fight and stuffed all six of Ashmouz's takedown attempts to add a little insult to injury. Salkilld said he thought he'd get things done early, so was surprised he had to go 15 minutes. But now he wants to fight back at home when the UFC returns to Australia in the fall. 'That's 100 percent what I want next,' Salkilld said. 'I've heard rumors its September (in Perth), so that gives me good time. I'm not too banged up after this one, so that gives me a few weeks to heal my little bumps and bruises and get back in there and prep.' But perhaps just as important for building his brand, Salkilld said his mustache is the best in the sport right now – and second all-time only to UFC Hall of Famer Don Frye. Check out Salkilld's post-fight news conference in the video above.
