Ben Griffin’s accidental “creatine overdose” sparked a rocky start at the BMW Championship—but his comeback from a 6-over start to 1-under 69 is a workout-supplement cautionary tale. Here’s what you need to know.
The Rocky Start — A Creatine Mishap in the Spotlight
At the 2025 BMW Championship, rising PGA Tour star Ben Griffin suffered an alarming meltdown when he accidentally swallowed a hardened “snowball” of creatine, leading to severe tremors, shakiness, and a four-putt triple bogey on his first hole. He compounded that with a double bogey on hole two and a bogey on hole three—finding himself 6 over in just three swings. Publicly calling it an “overdose,” Griffin’s fraught opening round instantly drew eyes across sports social media.
From Panic to Pride — The Final Round Redemption
Despite the jarring start, Griffin didn’t fold. Encouraged by his caddie to rehydrate and reset, he pieced together a stunning comeback—birdieing seven of his final 12 holes, ultimately shooting a 1-under 69 and finishing T-12, outperforming his position entering the round. A true showcase in mental grit.
Creatine: Powerhouse Supplement… or Potential Pitfall?
What Creatine Does
Creatine—especially creatine monohydrate—is one of the most researched and effective supplements in sports nutrition. It reliably enhances high-intensity performance, muscle power, and training adaptation, with a large meta-analysis supporting 5–15% improvements in anaerobic exercise.
Known Risks & Side Effects
Although generally considered safe, creatine isn’t without side effects. Some users report stomach upset, weight gain (due to water retention), cramps, dizziness, and in rare cases kidney stress—especially when consumed in large or poorly hydrated doses. Long-term safety is still under study.
Griffin’s Case: The Outlier Moment
Griffin’s tremors weren’t a typical educational anecdote—they occurred because he unknowingly ingested a clump of unsolved creatine without water, a dosage far beyond standard norms. It sent his system into overload at the most inopportune moment.
Perspective—What Experts and Fans Are Saying
While Griffin labeled the mishap an “overdose,” medical assessments suggest actual creatine overdose is unlikely at typical doses. Instead, the real culprit may have been dehydration, the physical shock of swallowing solids, or even caffeine mix in pre-workout blends he may be using. Several fans and commentators speculated that a stacked supplement regimen—not creatine alone—might explain the acute reaction.
A Lesson for Athletes Everywhere
Griffin’s experience underscores critical reminders for supplemental use:
- Hydrate everything: Supplements should always be consumed with sufficient water.
- Check consistency: Old, clumpy creatine may not dissolve properly—discard it.
- Know your stack: Be mindful if creatine is mixed with stimulants like caffeine or beta-alanine.
- Listen to your body: Unexpected symptoms warrant caution, not blind continuation.
Griffin himself acknowledged he’ll still use creatine—but not the way he did that day.
The Comeback Speaks Volumes
Beyond the supplement controversy, Griffin’s rally from disaster to redemption exemplifies mental toughness. His turnaround may elevate his standing for the Ryder Cup—where resilience under pressure matters as much as pure scorekeeping.
Quick Stats at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Incident | Accidental ingestion of creatine “snowball” |
| Immediate symptoms | Tremors, shakiness, panic |
| Resulting performance | Triple, double, bogey start; finished 1-under 69 |
| Recovery strategy | Rehydration + mental reset mid-round |
| Outcome | T-12 finish, dramatic comeback |
| Future approach | Continue supplementation—more carefully |
| Risks from creatine | Water retention, gastrointestinal stress, possible kidney overload in rare cases |