[Photo:\u00a0PhotoSport NZ]<\/p>\n
Defending NZ Open champion Ryan Peake is not normally one to get too emotional, but he admits his return this week to Millbrook Resort, the scene of his life-changing win 12 months ago<\/a>, has provoked plenty of feelings.<\/p>\n RELATED: Complete guide to the 2026 New Zealand Open<\/a><\/p>\n The West Australian, who hadn\u2019t previously won a professional event and not many years removed from a stint in prison<\/a>, holed a\u00a010-foot\u00a0putt for par on the 72nd hole to avoid a playoff with fellow Aussie Jack Thompson, Japan\u2019s Kazuki Higa and South African Ian Snyman.<\/p>\n The memories of that Sunday, and the celebrations that followed, have been popping up all over Millbrook this week as he prepares for his title defence.<\/p>\n \u201cI had a practice round yesterday at the Remarkables [course] and it\u2019s just so unreal that I can remember exactly every shot. The feelings of everything,\u201d Peake said. \u201cI can remember exactly what shot I played, what club I hit, what number I had,<\/p>\n \u201cI got to play the 18th, walked it the first time since last year, and it kind of hit me by surprise.<\/p>\n \u201cI actually got a bit emotional walking down there. Maybe took too many emotions in, or something like that, or I just kind of got that realisation of how much it actually changed my life.\u201d<\/p>\n