Twelve months on from his emotionally charged victory in the New Zealand Open, Ryan Peake [main picture] says he is a far better golfer after capitalising on increased playing opportunities and the chance to play with some of the greats of the game.

He begins his title defence today at Millbrook Resort in Queenstown and despite a year of disappointing performances, the lefthander feels his game in a good place.

“Obviously, it was well documented that it [last year’s victory] was life changing for me,” said the Australian, who served a five-year stint in prison a decade earlier for assault.

“So that created a pretty full on year, obviously between Asia and the European Tour. So, you know, just still, I guess, trying to find my feet. You know, it obviously elevated me a lot quicker than our intentions were.

“I guess I missed a couple stages of the transition side of things, which probably led to the results side of things. They haven’t been where we wanted them, but in reality, they’re probably exactly where they should be. But results aside, I’m a much better golfer than I was when I won this event a year ago.”

Ryan Peake tees off as Phil Mickelson looks on at last year’s Open. Picture by Andrew Redington/Getty Images.

His victory earned him an Asian Tour card, remarkably in what was his very first start on the Tour. He played 13 events during the season and finished the year 26^th on the Order of Merit. His next best result was T29 in the Mercuries Taiwan Masters, while he missed the cut on six occasions.

“You know, game feels good. There’s been lots of progression, just the results haven’t shown, so I know it’s very close, and maybe this week is the week that it all clicks again,” he said.

“I’ve just had lots of learning experience, all that stuff that I missed out on from the previous years, when I wasn’t playing competitive golf.”

Winning last year also earned him a place in The Open championship, as like this week, the event was part of the Open Qualifying Series.

He played the first two rounds with six-time Major winner Phil Mickelson from the United States, and although he missed the cut the experience left a lasting memory with him.

“Playing at a high level against, you know, with world class players you see how things are done different. You kind of spot things. You pick up on it. Kind of, you remember it,” explained the 32-year-old from Perth.

“Obviously, Phil Mickelson at The Open, someone that you idolise growing up, and that was more just a veteran experience from him. If he does hit a bad shot, I mean, it’s not awful, but he just gets himself straight back in the hole with the next one.

Peake in action at last year’s Mercuries Taiwan Masters. Picture by Graham Uden/Asian Tour.

“And that’s something that I’m not quite at the stage yet. If I hit a bad shot, it’s about trying to get straight back into the hole, and that’s what those good guys do. I’ve seen that you don’t actually have to be great out there. You’ve just got to be good.”

Poor weather this morning, that saw heavy rain drench the course, delayed the start of the first round by three hours meaning Peake starts his defence at 3.51pm on the Coronet course.