Trans Woman Plans To See Golf Associations In Court After Being Denied Entry Into U.S. Women’s Open Qualifier
Golfer Hailey Davidson has filed a lawsuit against the USGA, LPGA and three LPGA officials, following changes to gender eligibility policies.
Featured image: via Instagram
Hailey Davidson, a transgender golfer, has filed a lawsuit against the United States Golf Association (USGA), the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) and three LPGA officials, claiming that a 2024 policy change unlawfully barred her from participating in a U.S. Women’s Open qualifier last year. The USGA and LPGA updated their gender policies last December to restrict eligibility for elite events to players who were assigned female at birth or transitioned prior to male puberty. The policy took effect at the start of the 2025 season and remains applicable to LPGA tournaments and the eight USGA championships.
At the time of the updates, it was known that changes would rule out eligibility for Hailey Davidson, who missed qualifying for the U.S. Women’s Open in 2024 by one stroke. Davidson, 33, didn’t transition until after puberty. According to ESPN, the golfer had started hormone treatments in her early 20s in 2015, and in 2021, underwent gender reassignment surgery, which was required under the LPGA’s previous gender policy.
Image: Hailey Davidson at practice (2025) via Instagram: “I will always say golf has saved my life on multiple occasions, because it has. Golf has always been my therapy and I hope it continues to stay that way. Even on my worst of days I can generally find the strength to go practice because I know it will heal my mind.”
At the time that the new “Competitive Fairness Gender Policy” was unveiled, LPGA commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan stated: “Our policy is reflective of an extensive, science-based and inclusive approach. The policy represents our continued commitment to ensuring that all feel welcome within our organization, while preserving the fairness and competitive equity of our elite competitions.” Marcoux Samaan resigned shortly after the announcement.
Related: Olympic Committee Reaches Consensus On New Trans and Gender Policy
Davidson claims in the lawsuit that the new policy effectively bans transgender women from competing in USGA women’s events or the LPGA because many states prevent children from taking hormones or blocking puberty.
The case was filed in New Jersey state court last Thursday, March 19. The golfer is seeking unspecified damages.
