Convicted criminal and former bikie gang member Ryan Peake surprised golf star Phil Mickelson at The Open Championship held at Royal Portrush by requesting his autograph. Debuting in a major tournament, Peake, who played alongside Mickelson and South Africa’s Daniel Van Tonder, finished the first round with a score of 6-over 77, trailing the leaders by ten strokes.
Despite a challenging round that included eight bogeys and two birdies, Peake, now 31, relished the experience of playing with a five-time major winner. After the round, he shared his excitement about meeting Mickelson, expressing a fan-like enthusiasm. “I asked for his golf ball and got him to sign a glove,” he recounted. Peake admitted to having “a little feel” of Mickelson’s putter, reminiscing that it was “the one from the Masters,” highlighting the significance of the moment for him.
Peake, who once excelled in junior golf alongside notable players, faced serious setbacks after being convicted of assault at the age of 21, resulting in a five-year prison sentence. Since his release, he has worked hard to revive his golfing career, culminating in his participation in The Open after winning the New Zealand Open earlier this year.
The unpredictable weather at Royal Portrush took its toll, with strong winds and rain making play difficult. Peake acknowledged his disappointment with his performance, stating, “I just got beat up out there.” Nonetheless, a notable highlight came on the 16th hole at “Calamity Corner,” where he made one of only 15 birdies of the day, demonstrating his golfing prowess despite the overall struggles of the round.
As the tournament progressed, a remarkable tie at the top emerged, with five players from different countries, including American Harris English and South Africa’s Christiaan Bezuidenhout, sharing the lead with scores of 4-under 67, reflecting the intensity of the competition.
For the Australian contingent, the day proved challenging with prominent golfers like Cameron Smith and Adam Scott finishing at 1-over, while Peake’s score placed him towards the end of the leaderboard. Peake’s journey from a tumultuous past to competing on the global stage has been remarkable, and as the tournament continues, his determination to succeed on the golf course remains evident. The second round is set to begin on Friday afternoon (AEST).