Open debutant and former bikie Ryan Peake shot a six-over par 77 in his first round of a major championship at Portrush on Thursday.
Peake, who spent time in prison for assault before returning to the sport he excelled in as a junior, played alongside Phil Mickelson and even asked the multiple major champion for a souvenir of their round together.
“It was pretty good. I just asked for his golf ball and got him to sign a golf glove for me after. I know everyone is going to look at it and say you take the experience in and stuff like that, but obviously very disappointed with the round. Not what I wanted,” Peake said as the rain bucketed down outside.
Peake, 32, was the talk of the world’s golf media this week after a disarmingly honest interview about his checkered past featured in the New York Post among other global publications.
But while he’ll need a big turnaround in Friday’s round to make the cut, Peake remained positive.
“I just got beat up out there. I felt like I did a couple things all right and kind of didn’t get rewarded for them. But I was like Father Christmas out there; I was just handing out presents to the golf course. I just kept throwing them away,” he said.
“I’ve still got tomorrow and try and do something to make this cut. But the whole experience sort of thing, that’s something that I’ll look on further down the track. I’m not trying to, I’m here to compete. I’m in a competitive mode.
“It just started raining now. I’ve finished. It looks like I’ve copped the best side of the draw, and I haven’t taken advantage of that at all. But move on. Like I said, I’ve still got tomorrow. I’m definitely not counting myself out of it.”
He also admitted nerves may have played a part at his Open debut, especially alongside Mickelson and the legion of fans following the American.
“He just introduced himself, which I don’t think he needs to introduce himself; I was well aware of who he was. But obviously I was nervous. I wouldn’t say nervous because I was playing next to Phil. It’s just, I guess, your first major and things like that. But I’ve just got to get better at that,” Peake said.
“We chatted. He’s very friendly. We just had a lot of normal chitchat, talked about family. We talked about different things. Nothing in particular. But yeah, I grabbed his putter off him a few times and had a little feel of it.
“There were a couple cool things. Like I said, his caddie gave away golf balls as we were walking off the tee, and I yelled out, what about me, and he had a laugh, thought I was being sarcastic, and he said, are you serious, and I said, no, I’m deadly serious. I said, can you sign a glove as well.
“He’s your hero growing up. My own boy is out here this week and he loves him as well.”
Other Australians through on the early wave included Cameron Smith, who shot a one-over 72 and Jason Day (73).
https://thewest.com.au/sport/golf/open-debutant-and-ex-bikie-ryan-peake-shoots-six-over-par-77-in-first-round-of-major-championship-at-portrush–c-19391088
