Ben Griffin’s BMW Championship debut was jolted by an offbeat on-course mishap when the 29-year-old revealed he had consumed an unusually large amount of creatine during the final round in Baltimore. Griffin described the moment as an “interesting story” after a round that got off to a rocky start at Caves Valley Golf Club.
Griffin said he had been using creatine as part of his routine and had not expected any issues. He explained that, right as he teed off on the first hole, he opened a water bottle that had an unusually large amount of the supplement in powder form. He described it as a “snowball of creatine” that he mixed into his water bottle after discovering the batch was nearly finished. What followed was a startling change in how he felt.
“I started getting super shaky. I felt like I had tremors,” Griffin told reporters. He said his caddie stepped in to help him manage the situation mid-round. The team quickly tried to calm things down, with Griffin noting that his caddie urged him to drink water, later joking that he “chugged a whole water” to steady himself.
The rough start continued for a while. Griffin four-putted the opening hole from four feet and then drove his tee shot out of bounds on the second hole at the BMW Championship. By the third green, he was six over for the day, and the sequence left him facing a challenging afternoon.
After the round, Griffin framed the episode as a lesson learned. He acknowledged never having “overdosed” on creatine before, but he said the moment and its effects threw him off mentally and physically. “I honestly got to the third tee box and I was like, ‘Well, I’m fine.’ Let’s pretend like that didn’t happen. Kind of sucks in the moment. Damn, I wish I could have reset my round and go back to one now because I felt good,” he recalled.
The round eventually turned around, with Griffin finishing 3-under for the tournament and tied for 12th place with Rory McIlroy and Harris English. Scottie Scheffler captured the BMW Championship title.
Context and safety framing
Creatine is a widely used supplement believed to aid short bursts of speed and muscle strength. It comes in powders, pills and other forms. While generally considered safe, health organizations note that side effects can include weight gain from water retention, dizziness, nausea and other symptoms, particularly if dosages are not managed or hydration is inadequate.
Griffin’s experience has sparked online chatter as well, with clips circulating that captured reactions to the moment and the broader discussion about supplement use in professional sports.
What this means for readers
– The episode highlights how even routine supplements can have unexpected effects if not carefully dosed and hydrated.
– It underscores the importance of clear, cautious supplement use, especially on the course during competition.
– Griffin’s response—staying composed, seeking support from his caddie, and focusing on the rest of the round—offers a practical example of handling on-course challenges.
If you’re a reader exploring athletic supplements, the key takeaway is to discuss any supplement plan with a healthcare professional, stick to recommended dosages, and ensure proper hydration around exercise to mitigate potential adverse effects.
Summary for readers
Ben Griffin’s BMW Championship round was momentarily derailed by a creatine mishap he described as a “snowball” in his water bottle. He recovered with help from his caddie, finished strong enough to place T-12, and emphasized that the episode would inform better habits going forward. The incident serves as a cautionary tale about supplement use in high-stakes sports and the importance of staying level-headed when things don’t go as planned. A positive note remains: Griffin treated the episode as a learning moment and remains focused on improvement.