The Western Australian has a chequered past from which he has never hid, including a stint behind bars and time as part of a biker gang.
But the 31-year-old is one of life’s stunning redemption stories and golf was the key.
That work came to a head at Millbrook last night, when Peake lifted the Brodie Breeze Trophy as he was crowned the winner of the New Zealand Open.
It is his maiden professional victory. He walks away with a winner’s cheque of $334,800 and a spot at the British Open in Royal Portrush.
"It’s life-changing," a stunned Peake said after his victory.
"From this morning when I woke up to being four shots behind and trying chase down a win, never been in a final group of a tour event, to now to being a member of the Asian Tour.
"Second on the Australian Order of Merit, chasing down a European Tour card as well — lots of change."
Peake always believed he had what it took to win a championship.
"It’s the hardest part about it. Believing that you’re good enough, but trying to actually get over that line — that’s a different story."
South Korean Guntaek Koh, who held the lead since Friday afternoon, fizzled as Peake started to fire and turned the round in his favour.
They were both 22-under-par on the 12th hole, before Koh struck a bogey and Peake grabbed the outright lead.
Australian Jack Thompson, Japanese golfer Kazuki Higa and South African Ian Snyman all carded 22-under-par at the end of their rounds and had a nervous wait for Peake.
Peake came back with an outright lead at the end of the 17th hole and just needed to remain calm on the 18th to secure victory — and he did.
As the his shot dropped, Peake fist-pumped towards the crowd, before fellow Australian players stormed the green to drench their champion in champagne.
Peake, who went 55 holes without a bogey, has a remarkable back story, including being a Rebels bikie gang member and being sentenced to five years in prison in 2014 for a serious assault when he was 21.
The left-hander, who weighed 130kg during his time in prison, turned his life around through golf on his release.
His arrival at Millbrook was held up due to immigration paperwork and Peake landed on Tuesday evening, only 36 hours before the open teed off.
Just how far he had come was something he would reflect on over the coming days and his coach, Ritchie Smith, had already sent him a reminder.
"They called me this morning and just basically said I’d already won because I wasn’t in this position four years ago.
"Subconsciously, I’m proud of myself.
"I’m proud for the things that I’m doing for my family and my friends, but I’m also proud of where I’ve come from as well.
"I can change my actions, but I still am who I am."
Koh eventually finished outright fifth at 21-under, Chinese golfer Bobby Bai was sixth at 20-under-par and American John Catlin came back to card 19-under-par for seventh.
Daniel Hillier, supported by caddy Steve Williams, was the top New Zealander on 17-under and Michael Hendry, the last Kiwi winner of the New Zealand Open in 2017, was 15-under.
Josh Geary and Mark Brown finished at 11-under-par, Taranaki’s Sam Jones finished on 16-under-par, and Denzel Ieremia carded 13-under-par.
Queenstown favourite Ben Campbell also finished at 7-under-par after a frustrating final round, and Steven Alker, after just sneaking through the cut on Friday night, finished at 6-under-par. James Tauariki carded 4-under-par.
American Nathaniel Wipfler was the leading amateur.
Leading scores
-23: Ryan Peake (Aust)
-22: Jack Thompson (Aust), Ian Snyman (RSA), Kazuki Higa (Japan)
-21: Guntaek Koh (Korea)
-20: Bobby Bai (China)
-19: John Catlin (USA)
