Ryan Peake, after playing with Phil Mickelson, was relieved.
At no time on Thursday, the major winner six times helped him.
“I would have known that I was in a bad place,” said Peake, “if he came and started to offer me help.”
Everything was not lost for him, although things could have been better, because Peake drew six out of 77 in the first round of the championship open to Royal Portrush. He lowered his first two holes, and eight in all. He hit four fairways. He struck 10 green. Almost everything else, however, was surreal. To date, the story of Peake has been well documented. He had been a promising Australian junior. He joined a biker gang. He was sentenced to five years in prison for his role in a serious assault in 2014. But he returned to golf, won the New Zealand Open in early March, which earned him a place in Portrush, and he was there on Thursday.
Next to Mickelson of all, his hero. On the first tee, Peake said that Mickelson arose, which was embarrassing.
“I don’t think he needs to introduce himself; I knew who he was,” said Peake. “But obviously, I was nervous. I would not say nervous because I played next to Phil. It’s just, I suppose, your first major and things like that. But I just have to improve.”
Did they speak?
“We have chatted,” said Peake. “He is very friendly. We just had a lot of normal chatter, talked about the family. We talked about different things – nothing in particular.
“But yes, I caught his putter a few times and I had a little feeling. It is the OG; it is that of the masters. There were a few nice things.”
Overall, however, he said he was disappointed. Although it was his first major departure, he said that he did not allow himself grace.
“Not what I want,” said Peake. “If quite flat right now. I was quite flat there too. I just fought.
“But I’m sure I’m going – obviously, I still have tomorrow and try to do this cut. But all the experience in a way, it’s something that I will look further on the track. I’m not trying to – I’m here to compete. I’m in a competitive mode. So yes, I was quite flat.”
However, he will remember one out of 18.
There, the Mickelson shopping cart offered bullets.
“And I shouted:” And me? ” Said Peake.
“And he said,” Are you serious? “, And I said,” No, I’m serious. “” I said, “Can you sign a glove too?
“He’s your hero growing up. My own boy is here this week and he loves him too. I’m not going to ask him on the first tee, but I will ask him after the Tour. ”
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