More than 275 female golfers have signed a letter calling on Hailey Davidson, a transgender player, to be removed from the current LGPA qualifying series.
Debates around transgender athletes have soared in recent years, with many conservatives arguing that transgender women competing in all-female leagues allows for an unfair advantage against biological girls and women.
Hailey Davidson kicked off the second stage of LPGA qualifying on Tuesday with a round of 78, against the backdrop of growing controversy.
Reports surfaced that 275 female golfers had signed a letter calling on the LPGA, U.S. Golf Association (USGA), and International Golf Federation to reconsider and repeal policies that allow individuals assigned male at birth to compete in women's competitions.
Current regulations permit transgender athletes to participate if they have undergone gender-affirming surgery postpuberty and maintain hormone levels that meet specific criteria.
Here Newsweek has detailed everything you need to know about Davidson and the current controversy surrounding her.
Newsweek contacted Davidson via Instagram for comment on Wednesday.
Who is Hailey Davidson?
Hailey Davidson is a professional golfer and one of the first openly transgender women to compete in high-level women's golf tournaments in the U.S. She began her transition in 2015, meeting the hormone requirements set by the LPGA and USGA for transgender athletes to participate in women's competitions.
Davidson made headlines in 2021 when she became the first openly transgender woman to win a professional women's mini-tour event, sparking debates on the inclusion of transgender athletes in women's sports. While some argue that transgender athletes retain physical advantages after male puberty, others support Davidson's right to compete under the current guidelines, which regulate hormone levels and other factors.
In a March Instagram post, Davidson said the LPGA and U.S. Golf Association have some of the strictest policies for transgender athletes, noting that no transgender female golfer has yet reached the top levels of women's golf and criticizing the hypothetical fears of transgender athletes dominating the sport.
"I would semi understand all the hate and threats if there were a ton of transgender women out there dominating at all levels but unfortunately that just isn't the case nor has it been since the policy went into place. When the guidelines are strict enough, they do not allow for an advantage but at the same time, fully banning a group of people based in hypotheticals is far from OK and honestly the amount of hypotheticals I get asked is just laughable with what some people think can happen," she wrote.
"I think society seems to forget just how amazingly good and talented female professional athletes are in all sports. I mean those women are just insanely good and I can only dream of working towards playing alongside of them one day but in reality that is always a long shot and will require all I have even for the tiniest of chances."
How Female Golfers Have Responded
Davidson's inclusion in women's golf has faced pushback, with over 275 female golfers signing a letter urging the LPGA and other golf bodies to reconsider their transgender inclusion policies. Critics argue that transgender athletes who have gone through male puberty may retain physical advantages, including greater muscle mass and bone density, despite undergoing hormone therapy, raising concerns about fairness in competition.
Some players and commentators express concern that the inclusion of transgender athletes could compromise the progress made in women's sports. The argument often centers on the idea of maintaining a level playing field, with calls for more consistent and stringent regulations across all women's golf tours. At the same time, others advocate for Davidson's right to compete, citing that she complies with existing hormone and transition requirements set by the LPGA and USGA.
Which Golf Players Have Spoken Out?
While many players have voiced concerns about Hailey Davidson's participation in women's golf, the majority have chosen to stay anonymous. One notable exception is Lauren Miller, a golfer who has previously competed against Davidson and has not shied away from publicly expressing her views.
"There is no world where I ever thought this would be the case," Miller told OutKick.
"I've been talking to my parents about it, and they can't believe they have a daughter who is having to go through this. It's truly shocking to realize kind of where we are today and that this is the state of the world."
In another interview, published by Independent Women's Forum, Miller said sometimes Davidson "would hit the ball 10 or 20 yards past me, and sometimes 50 to 60 yards past me." She added that "distance is one advantage...but there's a lot more to it than that." Miller said there was also the question of "superior upper body strength", which can give "greater clubhead speed, and allows the ball to come out higher and with more spin."
Miller also told the Independent Women's Forum that it is the rules she takes issue with, not the golfer. "This is not a me-versus-Hailey battle," she said. "It's about getting people to understand that we need to do something about this. We have to protect young girls and their opportunities and their dreams."
Davidson has insisted she doesn't have "an extra gear" and has also received support from various advocacy groups. Organizations like Athlete Ally, which champion LGBTQ+ rights, have defended Davidson's right to compete, arguing that the inclusion of transgender athletes is important and pointing out that current regulations—including maintaining specific testosterone levels and undergoing gender-affirming surgery—are designed to ensure fairness.
The NXXT Women's Pro Tour, where Davidson has competed, acknowledged the ongoing debate but reaffirmed that Davidson has adhered to the rules set forth by golf's governing bodies.
What is the LGPA's Transgender Policy?
The LPGA's transgender policy allows transgender women to compete in women's events if they meet certain criteria. These include undergoing gender-affirming surgery after puberty, maintaining testosterone levels below 10 nmol/L for at least one year and providing legal documentation of their gender transition. Established in 2010, this policy aligns with rules from other organizations like the USGA, aiming to balance fairness and inclusion.
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