Chris Gotterup claimed his second PGA Tour victory of the season at the WM Phoenix Open using the new 2026 Bridgestone Tour B X golf ball. The ball, featuring a innovative core material, has now contributed to two wins in less than a month on tour. Gotterup praised the ball for enhancing his speed and control.
Bridgestone’s new Tour B line of golf balls, introduced for 2026, has quickly made an impact on the PGA Tour. Less than a month after its debut, Chris Gotterup secured his second win of the season with the Tour B X model at the WM Phoenix Open, just three weeks after his first victory.
The Tour B X incorporates a new core material called Velo Surge. Testing involving Gotterup and Jason Day revealed an average increase of 2.3 mph in ball speed and 8.7 yards in distance compared to other new Tour B balls. Tiger Woods also reported a ball speed increase and plans to use the Tour B X upon his return to competition in 2026.
Gotterup, who signed with Bridgestone in 2023, described the ball as the longest and firmest in the lineup. He has relied on it since then, switching from softer options like the Tour B XS, which Woods also used previously. “With the new TOUR B X, I’m getting max speed and distance off the tee, and total control when it matters most around the greens,” Gotterup said in a release. “As far as I’m concerned, this is the best golf ball I’ve ever played, and the sky is the limit for the rest of the season.”
During the WM Phoenix Open, Gotterup opened with a 63 and closed with a 64 to reach the playoff. He birdied six of his final seven holes, including the bonus hole, showcasing exceptional performance. Gotterup employs the MindSet model, a three-step process developed by Jason Day and his coach to aid focus during swings.
For golfers with swing speeds under 105 mph, Bridgestone offers softer alternatives: the Tour B RX and Tour B RXS, designed for easier compression.