Hailey Davidson, a transgender American golfer, has filed a federal lawsuit against the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) and the United States Golf Association (USGA), challenging their policies that bar athletes who experienced male puberty from competing in women's events.
The USGA updated its eligibility criteria on October 17, 2024, stating that for women's competitive events starting in 2025, participants must be female at birth or must have transitioned from male to female before experiencing any male puberty.[1] The LPGA announced a similar policy on December 3, 2024, for its Tour and co-sanctioned professional events, requiring players assigned female at birth or those who transitioned prior to male puberty.[2]
Davidson, who began hormone replacement therapy in 2015 and underwent gender-affirming surgery in 2021 under the prior LPGA policy requirements, participated in a U.S. Women's Open local qualifying event and the LPGA Qualifying School final stage in late 2024 but did not advance.[2][3]
When denied entry to a U.S. Women's Open qualifier at Hackensack Golf Club, Davidson alleged the club violated New Jersey law by deferring to USGA eligibility decisions.[3]
The LPGA issued a statement acknowledging the lawsuit, saying it would "let that process play out on the proper forum." The organization added that its gender policy "was developed through a thoughtful, expert-informed process and is grounded in protecting the competitive integrity of elite women’s golf."[2]
Davidson separately sued NXXT Golf, a developmental women's professional tour, in December 2024 after it revised its policies to exclude biological males from competing in women's categories. NXXT filed a motion to dismiss the case in February 2025.[3]
NXXT CEO Stuart McKinnon stated, "This was about simply protecting women's sports," emphasizing clarity and competitive integrity.[3]
Sources
- USGA, "USGA Establishes New Eligibility Requirements for Entry Into Women’s Competitive Events", October 17, 2024, https://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/media/press-center/2024/10/17/usga-establishes-new-eligibility-requirements-for-entry-into-women-s-competitive-events.html
- LPGA, "LPGA Announces Updated Gender Policy for LPGA Tour and LPGA Tour Co-Sanctioned Events", December 3, 2024, https://www.lpga.com/news/2024/12/3/lpga-announces-updated-gender-policy-for-lpga-tour-and-lpga-tour-co-sanctioned-events
- Fox News Digital, "Transgender golfer Hailey Davidson sues LPGA, USGA over women's policy barring biological males who went through puberty", January 30, 2025, https://www.foxnews.com/sports/transgender-golfer-hailey-davidson-sues-lpga-usga-womens-policy-barring-males-puberty
