Hailey Davidson, a transgender golfer, fell short in her attempt to secure an LPGA card as she closed with an even-par 72 at the second stage of LPGA Qualifying in Florida. Despite this, she did earn limited Epson Tour status for the 2025 season, becoming the second transgender golfer to do so after Bobbi Lancaster in 2013. The top 43 players advanced to the Final Qualifying, leaving Davidson six shots back of the cut line with a four-round total of 2-over 290.
Players who did not advance to Final Qualifying will be placed into Category I on the Epson Tour Priority List for 2025, while the remaining players who completed the 72 holes will be placed into Category K based on their qualifying finish. At the start of 2024, 217 players were ahead of Category K on the Priority List. Despite being approached by an LPGA official after her round, Davidson declined to take questions.
Earlier this week, the Independent Women’s Forum shared a letter signed by over 275 female golfers urging the LPGA, USGA, and IGF to repeal policies allowing biological males to compete in women’s events. They emphasized the importance of having clear and consistent participation policies based on a player’s sex. The LPGA sent a memo in August stating their plan to review and possibly update their Gender Policy by the end of the year.
In 2010, the LPGA eliminated the requirement that players be “female at birth” following a lawsuit by a transgender woman. Davidson came close to qualifying for the 79th U.S. Women’s Open earlier this year, finishing one spot away from participating. She had been competing on the NXXT Golf mini tour until it announced a ban in March requiring competitors to be biological females at birth. Davidson was a three-time winner on the tour and ranked second on the season standings at the time of the ban.
Despite facing obstacles and controversy, Hailey Davidson continues to pursue her passion for golf at a high level. Her achievements as a transgender athlete in a traditionally gender-segregated sport like golf have sparked conversations about fairness and inclusivity in the golfing community. As she forges her path in the world of professional golf, her journey represents a significant moment in the ongoing dialogue surrounding transgender athletes’ participation in sports. With her drive and determination, Davidson is breaking barriers and opening doors for future generations of transgender athletes in the world of professional sports.
