As Transgender golfer Hailey Davidson competes in this week’s LPGA qualifying eventLPGA and Epson Tour players are increasingly concerned about the organization’s gender policies. The Independent Women’s Forum recently shared a letter with Outkick signed by more than 275 female golfers which was sent to the LPGA, USGA and IGF (International Golf Federation) last August, calling on the organizations to repeal all policies and rules allowing biological males to compete in women’s events.
The letter, obtained by Golf Weekstates that “it is essential to the integrity and fairness of women’s golf to have in place a clear and consistent participation policy based on the unchanging gender of the player.”
Signed by current and former professionals, the letter was sent just before the start of the first stage of LPGA qualifying in California last August. Three days prior, the tour sent its own memo to LPGA and Epson Tour players regarding its gender policy.
Golf Week confirmed that in the memo, LPGA Commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan said the tour plans to conclude a lengthy review of its current policy by the end of the year and will implement any updates to politics ahead of the 2025 season.
The commissioner said the tour’s top priority must be to have a policy that ensures fair competition and considers competitive advantage “above all.”
Meanwhile, as the tour continues its revue, Davidson continues on his way.
On Tuesday in Venice, Fla., she opened what was officially known as Phase II of LPGA qualifying with a score of 6-over 78. If Davidson completes all four rounds of this week’s event at Plantation Golf and Country Club, where there is no cut, she will earn Epson Tour status for the 2025 season. If Davidson finishes in the top 35 and is tied among the 195, she will advance to final qualifying for a chance to win an LPGA card for next season.
In 2010, the LPGA voted to eliminate the requirement that players be “female at birth” shortly after a transgender woman filed a lawsuit against the tour.
Recently retired LPGA player Amy Olson says the tour should once again require athletes to be female at birth.
“I would say I’m cautiously optimistic that the LPGA will do the right thing,” Olson said. Golf Week. “They will update their policy to reflect a fair competitive environment for women as well as continued opportunities for women.
“I’m optimistic. The LPGA has fought hard for women’s golfers for over 70 years – our mission has always been consistent.”
More: Transgender golfer Hailey Davidson supports pro tour’s decision to question players on gender policy
While the threat of another trial undoubtedly plays an important role in decision-making, Olson noted that the threat works both ways. If a transgender woman gets an LPGA card and replaces a biological woman, the threat of lawsuits against the tour could be just as strong.
“I firmly believe that if the LPGA does the right thing,” Olson said, “they will have tremendous support.”
The letter sent by the Independent Women’s Forum outlines a number of biological differences between men and women that impact golf, noting that “the male advantage in driving the ball is estimated to be around 30 percent more in terms of performance; This is a huge difference in the sporting context. Anatomical differences between men and women affect club head speed and ball contact consistency. Women have a higher average heart rate and face higher physiological demands when playing, especially at high altitudes. There is no way to turn a man into a woman. Being a woman does not equate to being a man with reduced strength. »
On September 24, 2015 – a date tattooed on her right forearm – Davidson began taking hormone treatments and in January 2021, she underwent sex reassignment surgery, a six-hour procedure required by the University’s gender policy. the LPGA.
LPGA veteran Sarah Kemp knows Davidson personally and sees no reason for the tour to change its policy.
“I can’t imagine having to deal with the amount of hatred she expresses on a daily basis. It’s cruel and shameful,” Kemp said. Golf Week during an email exchange earlier this year. “Hailey just wants to compete, and she’s working hard to get better. But even though she works hard, she hasn’t been able to break into professional women’s golf. I still can’t believe the uproar world about it. winning an NXXT event…I know two transgender golfers – both of whom have undergone this procedure, including Hailey – and the physical toll this surgery took on their bodies was significantly more serious than hormonal treatments alone. in the just-begun research into transgender athletes in elite sport.
Earlier this year, Davidson was one spot away from qualifying for the 79th U.S. Women’s Open, the premier championship in women’s golf.
Davidson had primarily competed on NXXT Golf until the Florida-based mini tour announced in March — on International Women’s Day — that female competitors had to be biological female at birth to participate.
A three-time tour winner, Davidson was second in the mini-tour season standings at the time of the ban. She had performed nine times this season on NXXT.
This article was originally published on Golfweek: Report: More than 275 players sign letter calling for changes to LPGA transgender policy as Hailey Davidson competes for status
