[Photo: R&A]
Ryan Peake delivered a thoughtful and eloquent press conference after a dream Open Championship week playing with Phil Mickelson ended in a missed cut, but the West Australian was defiant he’ll be back at the links major.
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Peake, who was formerly part of an outlaw motorcycle gang and spent five years in prison, was the feel-good story of the 153rd Open after earning his major debut courtesy of winning the New Zealand Open in emotional scenes in March.
He undertook multiple media requests to retell his inspiring story of redemption and was gifted a star grouping for the first two rounds including six-time major winner Mickelson – the 2013 Open champion at Muirfield.
But not all stories get the fairytale ending and Peake was not able to produce the same magic that he enjoyed during the 2024/’25 Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia season where he earned one of three promotions to the DP World Tour for next season. At Portrush, Peake shot 77, 73. At eight-over he tied 2022 Open winner Cam Smith and both were among several Australians to miss the cut.
“Obviously it’s been a great buildup; I feel we’ve done the right prep,” Peake said. “The venue’s been fantastic. The crowds have been great. The hospitality, treatment side, everyone goes above and beyond to do everything for you. On that aspect, everything’s been great. Just the golf was disappointing.”
Peake was introspective when talking about the thrill of playing with superstar Mickelson while being disappointed in his own result.
“Obviously great; I was obviously trying to play my game as well, but [Mickelson] was friendly, he was chatting,” Peake said. “It’s not like I’ve played this week and think that’s the best player I’m ever going to play with or in 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.”
He was defiant that he’d return to the major championship stage.
“Yeah, it was never on the cards,” Peake said about the period in his life when he’d stopped playing golf. “I don’t want to come across too miserable and then sitting here like beating myself up and things like that, but I’m — 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 honoured to have the privilege to do it. Maybe next time will be better.”
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