The LPGA Tour has revised its gender eligibility policy, barring transgender athletes from competing in its tournaments. The updated rule, announced Wednesday, restricts participation to athletes who were assigned male at birth.
The LPGA made the following statement in a press release on Wednesday: “Athletes who are assigned female at birth are eligible to compete on the LPGA Tour, Epson Tour, Ladies European Tour, and in all other elite LPGA competitions. Players assigned male at birth and who have gone through male puberty are not eligible to compete in the aforementioned events.”
Hailey Davidson, a transgender golfer who has been pursuing an LPGA pro card since 2021, expressed frustration on social media, criticizing the decision and those who remained silent on the issue. Davidson, a frequent winner on the NXXT Tour, claimed the new rule exacerbates challenges faced by the transgender community, pointing to elevated suicide rates.
“Can’t say I didn’t see this coming. Banned from the Epson and LPGA. All the silence and people wanting to stay ‘neutral’ thanks for absolutely nothing…. This happened because of all your silence. What a great birthday present for 2024. Having the greatest achievement I’ve earned in my life taken from me,” commented Davidson.
While Davidson has shared his grief with the LPGA’s new eligibility requirements, many are celebrating this major step in protecting spaces designed for biological women.
The LPGA has not issued further comments on the policy update but joins a growing list of organizations revising eligibility standards to address concerns about fairness and inclusion.
