Former Aussie bikie Ryan Peake vows he will return to the British Open after redemption story for the ages
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 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 every 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 following his epic win at 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.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
23 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
AFL coach Simon Goodwin is sensationally SACKED by the Melbourne Demons after a string of controversies and losses
Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin has been sacked, with the board losing faith in the team's direction. The 48‑year‑old was reportedly told on Monday night after the club's win over the West Coast Eagles. Goodwin's future had been in doubt after opening the season with five straight losses, followed by another five‑game losing streak that crushed their finals chances. He will receive a payout of nearly $1million for next season despite being contracted through 2026. Goodwin has spent much of the past few years navigating a string of controversies that have repeatedly threatened to overshadow his premiership success. In early 2022, reports surfaced that the club board had considered standing him down over allegations of bullying, gambling with players and an incident at the Sorrento Hotel, but a review cleared him to continue. Melbourne Demons coach Simon Goodwin (pictured with wife Kris) has been sacked by the club after a season of poor results and ongoing controversies The Demons had just notched up a big win against the West Coast Eagles before the decision to cut ties with Goodwin Court documents lodged by former president Glen Bartlett and his partner later claimed Goodwin had used illicit drugs and behaved poorly after the 2019 grand final, accusations the coach and the club strongly rejected as unsubstantiated. Goodwin has consistently denied all drug rumours, saying they have damaged his reputation and hurt his family, while CEO Gary Pert has maintained the allegations are false and that the coach retains full board support. In mid‑2025, his handling of player welfare came under scrutiny when he publicly mentioned captain Max Gawn's private struggles, a revelation that reportedly blindsided Gawn and raised questions about internal trust. That came on the heels of a disastrous collapse against St Kilda, when Melbourne blew a 46‑point final‑quarter lead. Around the same time, a threatening social media post about Goodwin was reported to the AFL and police, although it was later revealed to be a hoax. The announcement still came with a degree of shock for Demons fans, after the club notched up a relieving 83-point win over the West Coast Eagles. 'I've said it all along, it's not about me,' Goodwin said after the win. 'It's about the footy team and the footy club and we think we've been building something throughout the year without outcome and sometimes that can be really tough for our supporters and it can be tough for people internally. 'But I'm really clear about what we're building and what we're trying to build and what we're trying to transition into and I can see it unfolding. 'But we need to learn how we turn the process into outcome and today was a part of that, but we've still got work to do.' The Melbourne Demons are 13th on the AFL ladder with a 7-13 record and three rounds left of the regular season. MORE TO FOLLOW
The Guardian
4 hours ago
- The Guardian
Lions writer awards: man of the series, unsung hero and where tourists should go next
Man of series Finn Russell was at the heart of everything the Lions did well. Calm, assured, skilful and accurate from the tee. Chapeau. Try of series Tom Wright, second Test, Melbourne. What a ripper! Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii's midfield break split the Lions wide open and Wright's touchdown put his side 23-5 up. Biggest villain Has to be Australia's now-convicted 'mushroom murderer' Erin Patterson. Her shocking court case pushed the Lions way down the news agenda. Unsung hero Jac Morgan. The brave back-rower never started a Test but Wales's solitary representative did himself – and his country – proud. Favourite moment Everything about the second Test was brilliant. The stroll down to the iconic MCG, the pre-match vibe – excellent use of AC/DC's Hells Bells as intro music – followed by a belting game in front of 90,000 fans. This year's cricket Ashes will be fun. Worst moment Idly looking around for my laptop bag only to realise – agh! – I'd left it in a Sydney taxi which was now 25km away. Fortunately, there was a happy ending. This Lions tour was … A reminder that sport is nothing without an audience. The previous Lions tour in South Africa took place behind closed doors; this one was enhanced by up to 40,000 visiting supporters, many of whom have been saving up to make the trip for years. All hail the sea of red. Next stop for Lions should be … To sit down and reimagine what future Lions tours should look like. Australia in 2037 including games in Japan and Fiji? France? South America? Or maybe an oval-ball Ryder Cup equivalent: Europe v the Rest of the World? Before somebody else launches it instead. Man of series Will Skelton, Australia. The cumulative scoreboard reflects that with the 23st second row on the field, the Wallabies comfortably outscored the Lions. The overarching feeling at full-time in Sydney was just what might have happened had he been fit in Brisbane. Try of series Tomos Williams for Lions v Western Force. Williams's second try of the match was a peach. Mack Hansen made the initial break, offloading inside to James Lowe, who found Williams dashing down the wing. The scrum-half exchanged passes with Lowe again before diving in the corner. Such a shame he injured his hamstring in doing so. Biggest villain Not one individual but the TMO – a role occupied by various officials throughout – did not have a great tour. In Sydney on Saturday, Dan Sheehan's blatant illegal clearout on Tom Lynagh went unpunished before a second-half check for the most innocuous of occurrences. Unsung hero Charlie Gamble, Waratahs and First Nations & Pasifika XV. Maybe not unsung given he was named player of the match for the FNP side and was praised for his performance for the Waratahs, but the beauty of tours such as this is watching players such as Gamble rewarded with an unlikely appearance in the series. Alas it didn't happen. Favourite moment Owen Farrell giving his boots to a child who had run on to the pitch in Sydney, only to be led away by security. These are the sorts of gestures made by Farrell that tend to go unnoticed by those who love to slate the only member of this squad with two series wins to his name. Worst moment Sweet Caroline, or something similarly obnoxious, blaring out while players are receiving treatment for worrying looking injuries. It has happened far too often, most recently when James Ryan was knocked cold for a couple of minutes in Sydney. Tone deaf. This Lions tour was … A slow burner and suddenly over too quickly, leaving a lingering sense of frustration that the Wallabies started the Test series so tamely. It did reach a stunning peak at the MCG and it should also be said it is always a stunning country to travel. Next stop for Lions should be … The couch or beach. It is August, the new football season is almost upon us and most of these players – some clearly running on fumes in Sydney – have been going non-step since last September. There are mandated rest periods at the start of next season and the hope is that they are stuck to. Man of series Will Skelton. The return of the Wallabies' lock flipped the series' momentum and he starred again in the third Test. Try of series Tom Wright, second Test. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii lacerated the Lions' midfield with his left foot and when Wright crossed, for a moment, Australia believed. Biggest villain Dan Sheehan. Tom Curry tackling a mid-air Tom Lynagh was egregious but Dan Sheehan's elbow to Lynagh's head was downright ugly. Unsung hero Ellis Genge. The prop was unlucky to be benched after a dominant first Test but helped to turn the second match in Melbourne to secure the series. Favourite moment The sheer drama of the final minute of the second Test, in front of 90,000, won't quickly be forgotten. The controversy made the Wallabies relevant to Australians again. Worst moment The Wallabies were flying at the MCG but Tom Lynagh's fumble and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii's infringement both led to tries that handed the Lions the impetus and ultimately the series. This Lions tour was … A reset for Wallabies fans, who can now look to the home 2027 World Cup with optimism. Wait, here come the Springboks, Pumas and All Blacks again. Next stop for Lions should be … To book a Lions Women tour to Australia in 2031.
Times
5 hours ago
- Times
Two back-nine bogeys end Charley Hull's chances at maiden major title
It was another case of so near and yet so far for Charley Hull, who made a valiant attempt to hunt down Miyu Yamashita at the Women's Open but came up tantalisingly short after the Japan star saw off the Englishwoman's challenge to claim her first major title winning by two shots after a two-under-par 70. It was desperately disappointing for Hull, who had played superbly to move within a shot of Yamashita before back-to-back bogeys on the tough 16th and 17th essentially ended her chances at Royal Porthcawl. Contending on the final day at a major is nothing new for the 29-year-old, having either held the lead or been within five of the lead seven times in her career, but some wayward approach shots in the closing stages proved costly and she was forced to settle for a fourth second place.
