Ben Griffin’s Unforgettable BMW Championship Round: A Lesson on Creatine and Golf

In an unexpected twist during the final round of the BMW Championship, professional golfer Ben Griffin turned heads with his uncharacteristic performance—a mix of shaky nerves and a curious encounter with creatine.

A Shocking Start

Griffin’s day kicked off dramatically when he four-putted on the first hole from just four feet away. But that wasn’t the end of his challenges; his tee shot on the second hole sailed out of bounds. This initial struggle led to a rather disastrous start of a triple bogey and a double bogey on the first two holes.

“I four-putted 1, and on 2, I was freaking out and didn’t know what to do. I hit it so far out of bounds,” Griffin explained after the round.

The Creatine Conundrum

The root of Griffin’s shaky performance was not nerves but rather an issue with creatine, a supplement often favored by athletes for its ability to boost endurance and energy.

Griffin revealed that he delayed consuming his creatine until just before his round began, creating an unfortunate scenario:

• Mixing Issue: He had a clump of creatine in his water bottle due to prolonged storage.
• Unexpected Ingestion: In an attempt to hydrate, he accidentally swallowed a chunk of the supplement.

“I’ve never ‘overdosed’ on creatine before, but I think I did in the moment,” Griffin said. “I started getting super shaky. I’ve never felt like that before and felt like I had tremors.”

Recovery and Resilience

Despite the rocky start, Griffin composed himself with the help of his caddie, who reminded him to stay hydrated. Once he settled into a rhythm, the 29-year-old shone through the remaining holes, birdieing seven of the last twelve to finish the tournament tied for 12th place.

Key Highlights of Griffin’s Round:

• Initial Hole Stats:
  • Hole 1: Four-putt (Triple bogey)
  • Hole 2: Out of bounds (Double bogey)
• Recovery:
  • Birdies on 7 out of last 12 holes.

“By the third tee box, I was like, ‘Well, I’m fine.’ Let’s pretend like that didn’t happen,” Griffin candidly reflected.

Griffin’s Season Success

This year has been monumental for Griffin, who claimed his first two PGA Tour titles at the Zurich Classic and the Charles Schwab Challenge. Currently, he ranks ninth on the Ryder Cup standings, solidifying his position as a potential candidate for captain Keegan Bradley’s team when facing Europe.

The Competitive Landscape

While Griffin battled through his challenges, Scottie Scheffler emerged victorious in the BMW Championship, marking his fifth title of the season. Both players will be among the 30 competitors in the upcoming Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club, where a staggering $10 million prize awaits the winner.

Final Thoughts

Ben Griffin’s experience at the BMW Championship serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of professional golf and the vital importance of preparation, even when it comes to dietary supplements. His ability to recover emphasizes the mental resilience required in the sport, turning an unfortunate beginning into a substantial finish.

For more insights on professional golf, supplement usage, and athlete wellness, check out related articles on Golf Digest and WebMD.