Australian golfer Ryan Peake will return to defend his New Zealand Open crown, one year on from the victory that transformed his life and career.
A former biker gang member who served jail time for an assault, Peake has rebuilt his life through his golfing prowess.
The 32-year-old returning champion will headline the NZ Open in Queenstown, starting on February 26 next year.
"Pretty cool. Never got to do it before in such a significant event," Peake said.
"I'm really looking forward to this opportunity."
Peake's dramatic win in Queenstown earlier this year was the first of his professional career and brought about a $302,000 winner's cheque.
It earned him full status on the Asian tour and helped secure a DP World Tour card, and also made him the first NZ Open winner to earn a guaranteed start in the British Open.
Peake missed the cut at Royal Portrush in July, but is aiming to return in better form next year.
"I didn't know I was the first to get that," Peake said.
"Credit to the New Zealand Open for securing that opportunity again.
"That's part of the reason why I'm excited to defend because The Open spot is up for grabs again.
"I didn't perform my best at Portrush this year, but it's definitely something I want more of."
Peake's back-story is now well known.
As a junior prodigy, he once teamed with Cameron Smith to win the boys' division of the Trans Tasman trophy as 17-year-olds.
But shortly after turning pro he lost his way. In 2014, Peake received a five-year prison sentence for assault.
With the aid of renowned coach Ritchie Smith and others, Peake turned his life around without ever hiding from his chequered past.
He received a full card on the Australasian Tour for the first time in 2024-25.
"Other people look at my story differently," Peake said.
"For me, it's just my life - something I live and deal with every day.
"It doesn't feel as extraordinary to me as it might to others."
