During the final round of the BMW Championship, American golfer <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/tag/ben-griffin/”>Ben Griffin faced an unusual challenge after inadvertently consuming an excessive amount of creatine, a supplement he had been taking regularly. This “overdose” caused him to shake and lose focus, leading to a triple bogey on the opening hole and a rough start to his round before mounting an impressive comeback.
Griffin detailed the incident to reporters, explaining that on the first hole he mistakenly swallowed an amount of creatine comparable to the size of a snowball. The physical reaction was immediate, leaving him feeling unsteady. His poor start included a four-putt that contributed to the triple bogey, followed by a double bogey on the second hole and a bogey on the third.
With his caddie’s encouragement to hydrate and calm down, Griffin gradually regained composure. After this initial setback, he played the remaining 15 holes in seven-under par, showcasing resilience and skill to finish the round on a high note despite the rocky beginning.
“I honestly thought I might have to withdraw.” —Ben Griffin, Professional Golfer
Ian Poulter’s Last-Minute Effort Ensures LIV Golf League Survival
In the LIV Golf League, veteran Ian Poulter faced the threat of relegation with less than nine holes to play in the season finale at Chatham Hills. Before this event, Poulter had earned points only once in 12 tournaments, putting him deep in danger of dropping from the league.
Beginning his round on the fourth hole, Poulter birdied both the 11th and 12th holes to sit two under on the front nine. However, double bogeys at the 14th and 16th holes pushed him back outside the safe zone. Facing the necessity of four birdies in his last five holes to avoid relegation, the experienced Ryder Cup player delivered under pressure, sinking four consecutive birdies.
His late surge moved him above the relegation line, saving his spot in the LIV League and displacing teammate Henrik Stenson. Stenson had one final opportunity to keep his position with a 12-foot putt on the 18th hole but missed, effectively ending his tenure unless he qualifies again through the Promotions event later this year.
Akie Iwai Secures a Commanding Win at the Standard Portland Classic
At the Standard Portland Classic, 23-year-old Akie Iwai captured victory by a wide margin, finishing 24-under par following a final round six-under 66 at Columbia Edgwater’s Macan Course. She ended the tournament four strokes ahead of her sister, Chisato Iwai, who posted an eight-under round on Sunday.
This marked Akie’s first LPGA Tour title of 2025, joining her sister as newly crowned winners on the tour. Their success adds to an impressive year for Japanese women’s golf, which has already seen Mao Saigo and Miyu Yamashita earn their first Major titles earlier in the season.
Xander Schauffele Fails to Qualify for Tour Championship for First Time
Notable for his steady performances since joining the PGA Tour in 2016-17, Xander Schauffele missed the season-ending Tour Championship for the first time in his career. After finishing tied for 28th at the BMW Championship, he ranked 42nd in the FedEx Cup standings, falling short of the top-30 cutoff needed to advance.
Schauffele’s rookie year was remarkable, as he became the first rookie to win the Tour Championship, edging out Justin Thomas by one stroke. Since then, he consistently finished in the top five, with only one exception in 2018 when he placed 15th. This year’s result marks a rare setback for the world number three.
Daniel Berger Pulls Out of BMW Championship Due to Injury
Daniel Berger, who entered the BMW Championship ranked 33rd in the FedEx Cup, was forced to withdraw before his final round because of an injury. Berger had recorded rounds of 71, 69, and 72, positioning himself for a possible place at the Tour Championship, but his withdrawal ended those hopes and his season immediately.
The four-time PGA Tour winner finished the year 45th in the FedEx Cup standings, having come off a challenging 2024 campaign that saw him just outside the top 140. Berger’s absence from the final round was confirmed ahead of his tee time and represented a significant disappointment for the American golfer.
Daniel Berger WD with an injury ahead of his 10:45 a.m. ET final round at the BMW Championship. —Tweet from Official Tournament Account
Additional Highlights and Noteworthy Developments Across Golf Tours
Several other important stories unfolded over the weekend that may have escaped wider attention due to the crowded golf calendar. At the BMW Championship, runner-up Robert MacIntyre climbed to a career-high eighth position in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR), signaling significant progress in his career.
Danish Golf Championship winner Marco Penge advanced to 73rd in the world and secured 14th place in Team Europe’s Ryder Cup standings, reflecting the importance of his victory in the DP World Tour event. Meanwhile, Team USA solidified six players for their Ryder Cup roster, including Scottie Scheffler, JJ Spaun, Xander Schauffele, Russell Henley, Bryson DeChambeau, and Harris English.
On the European side, Tyrrell Hatton and MacIntyre joined established stars Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, and Tommy Fleetwood as confirmed members of Team Europe for the upcoming Ryder Cup.
Broadcasting news emerged as well, with Sky Sports and the USGA agreeing to extend their deal to air the US Open in the UK and Ireland through 2030, ensuring continued exposure for one of golf’s major championships.
In the Korn Ferry Tour, Mexico’s Emilio Gonzalez won the Albertsons Boise Open by a single stroke over American Jeffrey Kang, strengthening his case for PGA Tour promotion. Neal Shipley, alongside Austin Smotherman and Johnny Keefer, secured full PGA Tour status for the 2026 season based on their performances on the Korn Ferry circuit.
On the PGA Tour Champions, Australia’s Richard Green captured the Rogers Charity Classic, edging Argentina’s Ricardo Gonzalez by one stroke for his first senior tour title. Meanwhile, Luke Poulter earned his place on Team GB&I’s Walker Cup roster, adding another positive development for the future of British and Irish golf.