The updated policies would rule out eligibility for trans golfer Hailey Davidson; The LPGA and USGA have said their policies are geared toward being inclusive of gender identities; the policies will come into effect in 2025.
Players must be assigned female at birth or have transitioned to female before going through male puberty to compete in LPGA tournaments under new gender policies.The updated policies would rule out eligibility for trans golfer Hailey Davidson, who missed qualifying for the US Women’s Open this year by one shot.Davidson began hormone treatments when she was in her early twenties in 2015, and in 2021 underwent gender reassignment surgery, which was required under the LPGA’s previous gender policy.
The Ayrshire-born player, who now lives in America, had won this year on a Florida mini-tour called NXXT Golf until the circuit announced in March that completing players had to be assigned female at birth.
The LPGA and USGA [United States Golf Association] have said their policies are geared toward being inclusive of gender identities and expression while striving for equality in competition.
“Our policy is reflective of an extensive, science-based and inclusive approach,” said LPGA commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan.
“The policy represents our continued commitment to ensuring that all feel welcome within our organization, while preserving the fairness and competitive equity of our elite competitions.”
The policies, which begin in 2025, follow more than a year of study involving medicine, science, sport physiology and gender policy law.
The LPGA said its working group of experts advised that the effects of male puberty allowed for competitive advantages in golf compared with players who had not gone through puberty.
