Australian former bikie gang member Ryan Peake, who spent time in jail for assault, charged to within sight of a maiden golf title at the New Zealand Open on Saturday.

Peake is alone in second place after three rounds of the $1.12 million tournament at the Millbrook Resort course near Queenstown, having overcome a disrupted build-up.

The 31-year-old received a delayed clearance to travel to New Zealand because of his criminal record, only arriving at the South Island destination on Tuesday evening ahead of a Thursday morning tee-off.

Rounds of 67, 64 and 64 have lifted Peake to 18-under, four shots behind South Korean Guntaek Koh and one stroke ahead of a group of three.

Sunday’s fourth round will be the first time he has played in the final group of a professional tournament, another remarkable achievement for the Australian given the direction his life took a decade ago.

A member of outlawed motorcycle club the Rebels at the time, Peake was found guilty of serious assault as a 21-year-old and sentenced to five years in prison.

He told journalists on Friday that golf became a focal point in a bid to turn his fortunes around and leave behind a “young and stupid” lifestyle.

Peake thanked immigration officials in Australia and New Zealand after eventually being granted a travel visa, something he will require for all offshore tournaments.

A rookie on the Australasian Tour, he is ranked 21st on the order of merit following a string of consistent results.

Asked on Saturday to reflect on his past, the burly, tattooed golfer said the final round was the focus.

“I’ll reflect on all that sort of stuff after the tournament but in the meantime I’m mid-tournament going into a final round,” Peake said.

“Just go out there tomorrow, just stick with what I’m doing. Don’t try and chase anyone down and just do a good job of what I’m doing and the by-product of that will be a win if I do a good job.”

The New Zealand Open is co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour.

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