Ben Griffin delivered one of the more dramatic stories of the 2025 BMW Championship, battling through a reported creatine-related health scare during Sunday’s final round at Caves Valley Golf Club to post a remarkable recovery and secure a T12 finish.
The 29-year-old American, who started the day in contention, faced a turbulent start but showcased resilience, playing his final 15 holes at 7-under to finish the tournament at 3-under 277.
According to posts circulating on X and a PGA Tour interview, Griffin experienced a troubling incident on the first hole, where he carded a triple-bogey 7 after feeling physically unwell, later attributed to an excessive intake of creatine, a popular supplement used to enhance athletic performance.
“I didn’t take it until I basically tee’d off on 1,” said Griffin. “I was at the end of my batch. I had basically a snowball of creatine, so had been in my bucket for a month, and broke it up and put in any water bottle. I’m all good.
“I’ve taken it on the golf course before. It’s fine.
“I started taking it after my second shot and I accidentally swallowed one of the big rocks in my water bottle. I’ve never overdosed on creatine before, but I think I did in the moment because I didn’t really drink any water after that. I basically just inhaled a snowball.”
While not officially confirmed as an overdose, the episode sparked concern among fans and officials, with some speculating it contributed to his early struggles, following an opening-hole triple with a double bogey on the second and a bogey on the third.
Despite the shaky start, Griffin, ranked 45th in the FedEx Cup standings entering the week, steadied himself with the help of his caddie and on-site medical staff, who monitored him briefly. He rallied with seven birdies over his final 12 holes to card a 1-under 69 for the day.
“I’ve never felt like that before and I felt like I had tremors,” he said. “I like was freaking out and didn’t know what to do.”
The incident raised eyebrows about the use of supplements in professional golf, with some X posts questioning the safety of creatine in high-pressure situations.
Creatine, while generally safe when used correctly, can cause side effects like dehydration or heart palpitations if taken in excess, particularly under the physical and mental strain of a PGA Tour event. No official statement from the PGA Tour or Griffin’s team confirmed the exact nature of the episode, but the golfer’s transparency shed light on the pressures athletes face to optimize performance.
As the golf world buzzes about his recovery, questions linger about supplement use and player health in the sport. For now, though, Griffin’s focus shifts to East Lake for the Tour Championship.
