Ryan Peake, a former member of a bike gang who spent five years in a maximum-security prison, had an extraordinary experience on Thursday at The Open Championship. The Australian golfer, who previously excelled as a junior player, showcased his determination by qualifying for Royal Portrush through his victory at this year’s New Zealand Open.
Despite a challenging start, posting an opening score of 77 with eight bogeys and only two birdies, Peake had the unique opportunity to play alongside Phil Mickelson, a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame and a past champion of the tournament. Mickelson finished the day with a solid score of 1-under 70.
Peake, reflecting on his performance, expressed disappointment, feeling “flat” after his round. “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. So pretty flat at the moment,” he stated. His honesty about the frustrations of his game was evident as he remarked, “I just kept throwing [shots] away, and it was just very frustrating.”
Nevertheless, Peake cherished his time with Mickelson, capturing moments that went beyond the scorecard. He received a signed glove and a golf ball from the legendary golfer, highlighting the camaraderie and light-hearted banter exchanged during their round. “His caddie gave away golf balls as we were walking off the tee, and I yelled out, ‘What about me?’… I said, ‘Can you sign a glove as well?’” Peake recalled, further emphasizing the significance of the experience for him and his son, who admired the Hall of Famer.
This remarkable story underscores Peake’s resilience in the face of adversity and serves as an inspiration that no matter one’s past, determination and passion can lead to incredible opportunities.