Ryan Peake triumphed in the New Zealand Open presented Sky Sport today to complete a remarkable Hollywood-style comeback story.

The Australian lefthander dramatically holed a 10-foot par putt on the par-three 18^th to edge it by one and avoid a play-off with three Asian Tour regulars: his compatriot Jack Thompson, Japan’s Kazuki Higa, and South African Ian Snyman.

Peake’s brave putt, the final shot of the tournament, saw him fire a final round five-under-par 66 to finish on 23-under at Millbrook Golf Resort, in scenically spectacular Queenstown.

Thompson carded a 63, while Higa and Snyman both returned 66s – in an event jointly sanctioned by the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia, and the Asian Tour, in partnership with the Japan Golf Tour.

Ryan Peake. Picture by Steve McArthur/www.photosport.nz.

Korea’s Guntaek Koh, the leader by four at the start of the day, carded a disappointing 72 to end in fifth place.

Both Thompson and Snyman, playing ahead of Peake, missed makeable birdie putts on the last, from 15 and six feet respectively, which would have seen them reach 23 under.

Peake had only just made it to that total after a birdie on the par-five 17^th, following a brilliant lag putt from 30 feet from the back of the green.

Ten years ago, at the age of 21, he was jailed for five years for assault. He was a member of the Rebels bike gang, having earlier been a promising amateur golfer. It was while he was in prison that renowned coach Ritchie Smith reached out and asked him whether he wanted to play competitive golf again. It was an offer he wisely accepted. His criminal record gave him visa issues entering New Zealand this week, and he only arrived on Tuesday evening.

“I’ve just changed my life,” said Peake.

“This is what I do. I want to be here and just play golf. The story is what it is but I’m just out here playing golf.

“I always knew I could do it. It was just a matter of time of when I was going to do it.”

Ryan Peake receives his Open flag from Ian Baker-Finch. Picture by Andrew Cornaga/Photosport.

He becomes the first lefthander to win New Zealand’s National Open since Sir Bob Charles in 1973, and he earned a place in this year’s Open Championship at Royal Portrush, as the event is part of the Open Qualifying Series.

Remarkably, he went bogey-free for his final 55 holes, having dropped his only two shots of the week on the eighth and 15th in the first round.

He was paired in the final group today with Koh, who was three shots clear by the eighth. However, Peake made birdies on nine and 12 to join Koh in a tie for the lead. The Korean then crashed out of contention with three bogeys in-a-row from the 13th hole, while soon after Peake shared top spot with Thompson, Snyman and Higa with two holes to play before the lefthander held his nerve to lift the Brodie Breeze Trophy. On the 18th he missed the green to the right off the tee and faced a testing chip which he left 10 feet short.

China’s Bai Zhengkai closed with a 68 to finish solo sixth while last year’s Asian Tour Order of Merit champion John Catlin from the United States was outright seventh after a 64.

Hong Kong’s Taichi Kho tied for eighth after also shooting 64 – meaning seven Asian Tour members finished in the top eight.

The next event on the Asian Tour is the International Series Macau presented by Wynn in three weeks time.

Korean Guntaek Koh increased his overnight lead from three to four today after shooting a third-round five-under-par 66 to race ahead on 22-under at the New Zealand Open presented by Sky Sport.

Koh, who is chasing his first victory outside of Korea, leads from Australian Ryan Peake, who is in second, after a 64 on the Millbrook course – a composite layout the features the best holes of the Coronet and Remarkables courses.

Three other Asian Tour players are in hot pursuit of Koh. Japan’s Kazuki Higa (62), South African Ian Snyman (65) and China’s Bai Zhengkai (67) are tied for third, five behind.

Last year Takahiro Hataji became the first player from Japan to win New Zealand’s National Open, and tomorrow Koh will attempt to follow that by becoming the first Korean.

Ryan Peake. Picture by Michael Thomas/Photosport.

For the second day in-a-row he birdied the first three holes and made the turn in three under for his round, after another two birdies off-set two bogeys. The back nine was less frenetic. He made eight pars and holed his second for an eagle two on the 12^th.

It wasn’t as explosive as yesterday’s 61, which matched the course record on the Remarkables, but it was enough to give him a nice cushion going into the biggest day of his four-year professional career tomorrow.

“I did well to handle the pressure today,” said the 25-year-old.

“After a 61 and trying to stay in front there was a lot of pressure, but I am proud of what I achieved. I am taking it shot by shot, not thinking too far ahead. That will be the same tomorrow.”

The Korean may not be well known outside of Korea but he is a proven winner on home soil. Most noticeably he claimed the Shinhan Donghae Open, an Asian Tour event, two years ago in Korea and two Korean PGA Tour events that same season. He also triumphed on his home circuit last year.

Kazuki Higa. Picture by Michael Thomas/Photosport.

He holed a blind wedge shot from 66 metres on 12 that took two bounces before spinning back into the cup.

“I was concerned about how much backspin I’m going to have after the shot, but it just went perfectly,” said Koh, whose girlfriend is caddying for him.

“It’s great that I have a four-shot lead, but this course itself is very scoreable. I need to keep focused on what I’m doing and just make sure I just stay consistent to what I’m doing.”

Lefthander Peake will fancy his chances tomorrow as he is on a streak of 39 holes without a bogey. He only hit three fairways out of 14 today though and will need to get his driver under control if he is to win his first pro event.

“It’s not the flight I want. I’m not getting the distance that I want and I’m just not finding a lot of these fairways,” said the Australian.

“When you get in some of this long rough, it’s hard to get it close and give yourself reasonable birdie opportunities.

“I’m doing well to make a score from where I am. I just need to start hitting some fairways.”

Ian Snyman. Picture by Andrew Cornaga/Photosport.

Higa, winner of the money list in Japan in 2022 when he won four times, carded the second lowest round of the day making two eagles on the first and the 17^th, both par fives, seven birdies and two dropped shots.

“Playing very well. Excited about tomorrow and can’t wait to start,” said the Japan golfer, who played his first full season on the Asian Tour last year.

“It’s my goal win outside of Japan. I hope to follow in Hataji-san’s footsteps tomorrow.”

Elvis Smylie from Australia, winner of the Australian PGA Championship last year, carded a 65 and is in sixth place six behind the leader.

American John Catlin, who claimed the Asian Tour Order of Merit title last year, came in with a 70, which saw him slip down the leaderboard. He is in a tie for 16^th, 10 adrift of Koh.

The 104^th edition of the New Zealand Open presented by Sky Sport is being co-sanctioned by the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia and the Asian Tour, in partnership with the Japan Golf Tour.

Korean Guntaek Koh shot the finest round of his career, a course-record equalling 10-under-par 61 on the Remarkables course at Millbrook, to take the halfway lead in the New Zealand Open presented by Sky Sport today.

His breathtaking performance – made up of an eagle, nine birdies and a solitary bogey – propelled him into a three-shot lead over Australian James Marchesani, who fired a 65, also on Remarkables.

Koh, who is 17-under, was joined by three other Asian Tour members at the top of the leaderboard.

China’s Bai Zhengkai, a graduate from this year’s Qualifying School, carded a 64 on Remarkables to slide into solo third, four behind Koh, while one shot further back are reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit champion, American John Catlin, and South Africa’s Ian Snyman. Catlin returned a 64 on the Coronet course, and Snyman 65 on Remarkables.

Overnight leader Harrison Crowe from Australia carded a 71 and is in joint 12^th, six off top spot.

Bai Zhengkai. Picture by Andrew Cornaga/Photosport.

Koh is a proven winner on home soil. His one win on the Asian Tour came in 2023 at the Shinhan Donghae Open in Korea, where he defeated Thailand’s Phachara Khongwatmai in a sudden-death play-off, and he’s also a three-time champion on the Korean PGA Tour.

He’s made no secret of his desire to make a name for himself in the international arena and today’s round will help start the process.

Said the 25-year-old: “My iron play was really good, it helped me attack the greens. That’s what got me into this position. I have been working very hard on that part of my game.

“For the next two rounds I will focus on positive thinking. I played very well today. I want to carry this momentum into the weekend.”

He admitted he was too focused to realise he matched the course record.

“It’s very meaningful. I didn’t even know I shot the course record. I didn’t even look at the scores. I am really proud of myself,” he added.

His 61 was built on eight birdies in his first 11 holes. His only dropped shot came on 13 before he birdied 15 and made an eagle two on the last.

John Caitlin. Picture by Michael Thomas/Photosport.

Bai made eight birdies and one bogey for his best opening two rounds in an Asian Tour event. He was second at Qualifying School in 2023 but failed to keep his card and was fourth this year, looking to capitalise on his second opportunity.

“Putting was my weakness before but now I am able to make some putts,” said the Chinese golfer.

“I got the putter going today. Ball striking was pretty good. Made a couple of mistakes on the front.  Missed a couple of greens but was able to get up and down. I just enjoy playing out here. The greens are great, a little bit soft so I was able to attack the pins.

“I have been playing all over the world. After college I played two years on Korn Ferry, lost my card, played in Europe, DP and Challenge Tour for a year, lost my card, played on Asian Tour for a year and lost my card. Got through Q School this year and finished fourth so I am happy to be here.”

Snyman was of the form players last year and continues to impress. He tied for sixth last year and is loving being in Queenstown.

Said the South African: “I am staying with a host family. I have for the past two years. The Aitken family and they cook me steak every night and lamb chops and it almost feels a bit like South Africa in a sense, and we share a lot of the same sports, so it makes it feel a little homey. You can say this is my New Zealand family. They make special for me.”

Harrison Crowe rumbled the Remarkables Course at Millbrook Golf Resort today with a brilliant nine-under-par 62 to take the first-round lead in the New Zealand Open presented by Sky Sport.

The Australian leads from countryman James Marchesani who returned a 63 while Asian Tour regulars Kevin Yuan from Australia and Korea’s Guntaek Koh are next best with 64s. They all played on the Coronet Course, as did LIV Golf star Lucas Herbert from Australia who also carded a 64.

Crowe [main picture] made nine birdies and an eagle with his only blemish coming on the par-four 13^th, where his tee shot flew out of bounds, resulting in a double-bogey.

He won the NSW Open as an amateur in 2022 but is still chasing a first win as a professional.

“I definitely had a lot of things going my way today, and I think to shoot those rounds you have to,” said the 23-year-old from Sydney.

James Marchesani. Picture by Chris Symes/www.photosport.nz.

“I had the putter going, so it was nice to keep the momentum going after that one mistake.”

Herbert, who plays for Ripper GC on LIV, was happy with the new putter in his bag, although he missed from three metres on his final hole.

“I felt like I’d struggled with the putter for a while and I felt like I putted okay today without being amazing, but it wasn’t bad either,” he said.

“I hit a lot of good putts and just couldn’t get as many to go in as I would’ve liked. But look, it’s probably going to be a week of low scoring, so it was good to get off to a hot start and not feel like we’re chasing from a long way back.”

Australian Travis Smyth, Japan’s Kazuki Higa and Bai Zhengkai from China also helped put the Asian Tour on the map, with rounds of 65s on Coronet to tie for sixth.

Reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit champion John Catlin from the United States fired a 67 and is in a tie for 23^rd, along with New Zealand’s Ben Campbell – second on last year’s Merit list, who is based at Millbrook Golf Resort.

Kevin Yuan. Picture by Chris Symes/www.photosport.nz.

Josh Geary and Michael Hendry ended the day as the leading Kiwis. They are tied for ninth following 66s on the Remarkables.

Defending champion Takahiro Hataji from Japan opened his account with a 69.

Pakistan’s Ahmad Baig, winner of the ADT Rumanza Open Pakistan last week on the Asian Development Tour, fired a 71 on Remarkables.

New Zealand’s Nick Voke, also coming off a win last weekend in Australia at the Webex Players Series Sydney came in with a 73.

The NZ$2million event is co-sanctioned by the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia and the Asian Tour, in partnership with the Japan Golf Tour.

It’s the third stop of the season on the Asian Tour.

Nick Voke will try and join an elite group of New Zealanders who have won their National Open, when he competes in the New Zealand Open presented by Sky Sport this week.

A total of 20 Kiwis have claimed the title, most notably Bob Charles – the famous lefthander and arguably the nation’s greatest player who won the tournament four times – and Michael Campbell.

Voke has had several attempts since turning professional in 2018, the year he finished a career-best seventh.

This year though is perhaps his best opportunity to claim The Brodie Breeze Trophy thanks to a much-needed return to form, which saw him win the Webex Players Series Sydney last weekend on the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia.

“It meant so much to win,” said the 30-year-old from Auckland, ahead of this week’s event which starts tomorrow at Millbrook Golf Resort, Queenstown.

Nick Voke. Picture by Graham Uden/Asian Tour.

“It’s been quite the journey, the last six months. You know golf is hard. Professional golf can beat you down. It’s really difficult.”

The victory was his first success since three wins on the China PGA Tour during a standout rookie season. It also came off the back of a fine season on the Asian Tour last year, when he ended 50^th on the Merit list – helped by back-to-back joint seventh placed finishes in the Black Mountain Championship and the International Series Thailand.

Voke attended the two events, first as a player, but also as a YouTuber and as an influencer manager, as two of his clients, Luke Kwon and Taco Golf, also competed.

And it is his work in the online golfing world that he feels has helped get his game back on track.

He explained: “I was at the point of thinking about doing other things. I got a bit of a lifeline with Luke Kwon and Taco Golf. I have been playing well for about a year now. The game is in good shape. The issue is I wasn’t optimising the game I had. I was getting in my own way. Bad stuff was happening, and I wasn’t able to handle the moment.

Nick Voke. Picture by Kaikungwon Duanjumroon/Asian Tour.

“If you ask me what’s changed. I am playing closer to my potential more often because of a change in my mindset. I kind of attribute that to some of the YouTube stuff. I have never played poorly when I played with the guys.”

In essence, his return to the winners’ circle has been the result of not trying so hard.

“It is crazy. The less pressure you put on playing well, the less wanting to win you have, the less you try to be perfect – the better things are,” he said.

“It’s almost like my chances are better by not trying too much. By not trying to be perfect. Not trying to be someone I am not.”

He tees-off at 12.47am tomorrow on the Remarkables Course with American Berry Henson, plus their amateur partners – as since 2014 the tournament has featured a popular Pro-Am format.

Michael Hendry was the most recent New Zealander to raise the trophy back in 2017, after beating compatriot Ben Campbell and Australian Brad Kennedy in a play-off, and the trending Voke will be looking to make it another week for the country to remember.

“If I play for the next six months like I have for the last six months I am going to be in contention again,” he said.

“By keeping going on the same path I have been on, there’s nothing to say I can’t get a few more trophies.”

Of all the players who excelled in 2024, and there were many, it is Lee Chieh-po who perhaps best represents the underlying messaging of the Time to Rise campaign – launched so successfully by the Asian Tour last year.

After nearly a decade of coming close to winning on the Tour, he finally claimed his maiden title, at the International Series Thailand in October. It was part of an outstanding burst of form in Q4 that also saw him record joint third and fifth placed finishes, plus four other top 10s before he hit the big-time at the end of year by winning LIV Golf Promotions – to earn a place on this year’s LIV Golf League.

It was unquestionably the finest season of his career, and for further insight on just how he achieved it take a look at the latest #TimeToRise documentary: Lee Chieh-po.

In the video there is one quote that standouts more than the others and accurately encapsulates his narrative.

Says the Chinese-Taipei star, who is seen being interviewed at Sunrise Golf & Country Club, his home club: “The Chinese say it takes 10 years of hard work to sharpen a sword, I think they are referring to me. It took me 10 years to win my first Asian Tour title.”

Max, as he is popularly known, turned professional in 2015. He finished sixth in the Final Stage of the Asian Tour Qualifying School that year and nearly won later in the season at the Resorts World Manila Masters, where he tied for third. He surprisingly lost his card the following year and focused on playing on his domestic tour, where has enjoyed no shortage of success. In 2021, when COVID-19 stopped play on the Asian Tour, he won four times there and claimed the money list title.

Post pandemic, Lee has been one of the Asian Tour’s rising star, capturing attention with a textbook golf swing, and a knack for shooting low rounds.

He explains in the video, learning to be patient has been the key to his prolific rise.

“Sometimes, in golf tournaments, you will inevitably make some mistakes in the process. In the past, when I faced these mistakes, I will zoom into it and I will feel a lot of emotions,” he explains.

“For me, I think my biggest improvement is I know how to digest these emotions better. And I can deal with my mistakes calmly, which is good, as it will not affect my shots after that, and I am confident that I even get it back.”

It was most definitely Lee’s Time to Rise last year, and as he competes on LIV Golf, the Asian Tour and The International Series this year, the question is just how long it will be before he stops rising. Based on his current trajectory, the sky is the limit.