Ryan Peake, Former Gang Member, Qualifies for 2025 British Open With Tournament Win

Ryan Peake celebrated a "life-changing" moment as he won the New Zealand Open and qualified for the 2025 Open Championship.

"I've just changed my life. This is what I do," he said of the triumph. "I want to be here and just play golf. The story is what it is, but I'm just out here playing golf."

Peake finished one shot better than Ian Snyman, Jack Thompson and Kazuki Higa. He went five under in the final round to go to 23 under for the tournament.

The Associated Press described Peake as a "promising junior golfer" whose career was put on hold for five years. A member of a biker gang in Australia, the Rebels, he was convicted of assault when he was 21.

Working with coach Ritchie Smith, Peake has managed to revive his golf fortunes.

"I always knew I could do it but it was just a matter of when I was going to do it," he said. "Along with my family and my team everyone believed and most of all I believed as well."

The New Zealand Open brought a small reminder of his criminal past, though, as it helped to delay his arrival in Queenstown. The BBC said he got through customs Tuesday, two days before the event teed off.

Peake will also need the proper clearances later this summer in order to make the trip to Royal Portrush Golf Club in Northern Ireland.

The Open Championship gets underway July 17.