The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) has updated its gender eligibility rules, banning transgender women who have experienced male puberty from participating in top-level competitions beginning in the 2025 season. The decision, influenced by a group of experts in various fields, aims to maintain fairness and competitive integrity in women’s golf.
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.”
Under the new policy, only athletes assigned female at birth can participate in top-tier competitions, while those assigned male at birth who have experienced male puberty are ineligible.
BREAKING: The @LPGA just announced a new policy change banning men from participating in women’s golf.
HUGE WIN! pic.twitter.com/j93kAQ2dwh
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) December 4, 2024
The change has disappointed transgender golfer Hailey Davidson, who criticized the decision and expressed concern about its impact on the mental health of transgender individuals.
Davidson wrote, “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.”
Davidson added, “Somehow people are surprised the suicide rate for transgender people is around 50%. Situations just like this are part of the reason.”
Davidson later added, “What a great birthday present for 2024. Having the greatest achievement I’ve earned in my life taken from me.”
The LPGA’s policy mirrors similar restrictions in other sports organizations. Davidson said regarding the LPGA’s statement, “For the record, I was not involved nor asked to be involved on any of the ‘studies’ that any golf organization has just used to ban me, the only active golfer who is actually effected by these policy changes.”
