Transgender athlete Hailey Davidson recently competed in the LPGA Qualifying but fell short of earning a card. She did, however, earn limited status on the Epson Tour for the 2025 season. This makes her the second transgender golfer to earn status on the development circuit, following in the footsteps of Bobbi Lancaster who earned status back in 2013 but never competed in an official event.
The LPGA has implemented new policies for transgender athletes that will go into effect for the 2025 season. These policies prohibit athletes who have experienced male puberty from competing in women’s events. Players assigned male at birth must prove they have not gone through male puberty beyond Tanner Stage 2 or after age 12 and maintain testosterone levels below 2.5 nmol/L. These policies were developed with input from medical experts, and they prioritize the competitive integrity of women’s professional tournaments.
The LPGA’s updated Gender Policy extends to other elite competitions like the Ladies European Tour and the Epson Tour. Outgoing LPGA Commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan stated that the policy represents the organization’s commitment to inclusivity while maintaining fairness and competitive equity in elite competitions. These guidelines make athletes like Hailey Davidson, who underwent gender reassignment surgery in 2021, ineligible to compete.
The USGA has also implemented new policies regarding transgender athletes that align closely with those of the LPGA. CEO Mike Whan emphasized that the policies were developed with competitive fairness as the top priority. The new rules bring golf in line with other sports organizations like World Aquatics and the World Athletics Council.
Retired LPGA player Amy Olson has been vocal about the need for organizations to have policies that prioritize females at birth. She expressed sadness that it took so long for these changes to be made and emphasized the impact it has on individuals involved. Olson, a former USGA champion, hopes that the tour will continue to prioritize fairness in competition.
The introduction of these new transgender policies in golf comes after a legal challenge by Lia Thomas, a transgender swimmer who argued against policies in place in World Aquatics. Thomas became the first transgender athlete to win an NCAA Division I title in 2022. Golf organizations like the LPGA and USGA are taking steps to ensure competitive fairness in their events.
The changes in transgender policies in golf have been met with mixed reactions from players and stakeholders. While some, like Amy Olson, have advocated for policies that prioritize females at birth, others have supported the inclusive approach taken by the LPGA and USGA. The goal of the new policies is to maintain fairness and competitive integrity in elite golf competitions.
