LPGA, USGA make gender policy changes to ban Hailey Davidson, other transgender golfers
Starting in 2025, only players assigned female at birth or who transitioned before going through male puberty will be eligible to compete
The LPGA and USGA announced a change to its gender policy on Wednesday that will effectively ban transgender golfer Hailey Davidson and others like her from competition.
Starting in 2025, only players assigned female at birth or who transitioned before going through male puberty will be eligible to compete in LPGA tournaments or USGA female championships.
Davidson, who celebrated her 32nd birthday on Tuesday, began hormone treatments in 2015 and underwent gender-affirming surgery in 2021. Before transitioning, Davidson played men’s golf at NCAA Division II and Division III schools.
“Can’t say I didn’t see this coming,” Davidson wrote Wednesday on an Instagram Story in response to the news. “Banned from the Epson and the LPGA.
“All the silence and people wanting to stay ‘neutral’, thanks for absolutely nothing. This happened because of all your silence.”
Davidson, who hails from Scotland, had recently earned a limited spot on the Epson Tour after finishing 95th in LPGA qualifying, but had pathways available to join the main tour.
