Golf bans male-born players from women’s events after transgender controversy

The major powers in female professional golf have changed their transgender policies to ban male-born players from their competitions after Hailey Davidson came within one shot of qualifying for the US Women’s Open in June.

Davidson’s progress through the ranks has brought the issue to a head this year. The Scot made history in January when becoming the first transgender golfer to win a female tournament – a mini-league event in Florida – and then tried to win a card on the LPGA Tour at Q-School two months ago.

Davidson fell short, but still managed to earn status on the Epson Tour, the feeder league to the US circuit and was due to tee it up in 2025. However, that avenue has now been closed. The Ladies Professional Golf Association, in tandem with the US Golf Association, which runs the US Women’s Open, announced on Wednesday that “any players assigned male at birth and who have gone through male puberty are not eligible”. This also takes in the Women’s Open and the Ladies European Tour and comes into effect at the start of next year.

“Our policy is reflective of an extensive, science-based and inclusive approach,” Mollie Marcoux, the LPGA commissioner, said in a statement. “The policy represents our continued commitment to ensuring that all feel welcome within our organisation, while preserving the fairness and competitive equity of our elite competitions.”

Davidson, who was raised in Ayrshire and was called James, took little time in reacting, posting on Instagram: “Can’t say I didn’t see this coming. All the silence and people wanting to stay ‘neutral’ thanks for absolutely nothing. This happened because of all your silence.”

However, there were those who took a stand against the golfer who played on a US male college team and did not transition until three years ago. Amy Olson, a two-time major runner-up, railed against Davidson’s involvement. “These women have worked too hard and too long to have to stand by and watch a man compete for and take their spot,” she said.

It soon emerged that this view was held by many in the locker room, with the Independent Women’s Forum revealing that more than 275 fellow players had sent a letter to the LPGA, the USGA and the International Golf Federation, urging Davidson’s removal from Q-School.

Telegraph Sport revealed that a review was under way and, despite the LPGA dropping its female-born requirement in 2010 following a legal challenge, the findings were unequivocal. “The policy – informed by a working group of top experts in medicine, science, sport physiology, golf performance and gender policy law – was developed with input from a broad array of stakeholders and prioritises the competitive integrity of women’s professional tournaments,” Marcoux said.

“This working group has advised that the effects of male puberty confer competitive advantages in golf performance compared to players who have not undergone male puberty.”

The new transgender regulations align with those of World Aquatics and World Athletics. Mike Whan, the USGA chief executive, acknowledged that there could be a legal fight. “You shouldn’t let fear of a lawsuit stop you from doing what you think is right for your business and for competitions,” Whan told Golfweek. “If I have to sit in court and defend that, I definitely will.”

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