The LPGA Tour announced a significant policy change on Wednesday, introducing new gender eligibility rules set to take effect in 2025.

The updated policy will prohibit transgender athletes who have gone through male puberty from competing in LPGA tournaments and eight USGA championships for women.

The move comes amid ongoing controversy and calls from many professional golfers to address concerns about fairness in women’s golf, particularly regarding players like Hailey Davidson, a transgender athlete who has faced opposition for competing in women’s events.

275 female golfers sign letter demanding removal of transgender player Hailey Davidson

Davidson has remained unapologetic and has continued to lash out at her critics: “I will never understand athletes who blame a transgender competitor on their own athletic failures,” Davidson… pic.twitter.com/JoQLCrNmPd

— HC ⬛️◼️▪️ (@banbadmen) November 22, 2024

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This comes after many current and former LPGA players have spoke to the harm caused by male golfer Hailey Davidson competing with women.

Good move by @LPGA. https://t.co/axwYWI5IHO

— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) December 4, 2024

The revised policy mandates that athletes must either be assigned female at birth or have transitioned to female prior to undergoing male puberty to qualify for LPGA events.

Additionally, players assigned male at birth must prove they have not experienced puberty beyond its earliest stages or after age 12, whichever occurs first.

They must also meet specific testosterone level requirements to ensure compliance.

“Under the new policy, athletes who are assigned female at birth are eligible to compete on the LPGA Tour, Epson Tour, Ladies European Tour, and in all other elite LPGA competitions,” the LPGA stated.

Players who do not meet these criteria will no longer be eligible to compete in events governed by the LPGA and USGA.

The updated rules will apply to all competitions starting with the U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball Championship in May 2025.

The LPGA and USGA emphasized that the policy was developed to balance inclusivity with competitive fairness.

LPGA Commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan, who recently announced her resignation effective January, explained the rationale behind the change.

“Our policy is reflective of an extensive, science-based and inclusive approach,” Samaan said. “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.”

USGA CEO Mike Whan, who previously served as LPGA commissioner, echoed these sentiments. “It starts with competitive fairness as the North Star,” Whan said. “We needed to be able to walk into any women’s event and say with confidence that nobody here has a competitive advantage based on their gender.”

The updated policy aligns with similar regulations in other sports, such as swimming and track and field, which also consider the competitive advantages stemming from male puberty.

The policy change directly affects transgender athletes like Hailey Davidson, who has been vying for professional status on the LPGA Tour.

Davidson, 31, missed qualifying for the U.S. Women’s Open this year by one stroke and did not earn her/his LPGA card during Q-School.

NEW: Transgender golfer wins the NXXT Women’s Classic in Florida, increasing his chances to move onto the LPGA Qualifier.

RIP women’s sports.

Hailey Davidson played golf on a men’s team in college but now competes with women.

If Davidson ends the season as a top five player,… pic.twitter.com/WHl0nKwnvg

— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) January 20, 2024

Under the new rules, she will no longer be eligible to compete in future LPGA events.

Davidson’s case has drawn significant attention, particularly after she won the Women’s Classic at Mission Inn Resort and Club earlier this year, sparking backlash from nearly 300 female players.

Following the victory, the NXXT Golf mini-tour also revised its gender policy to require participants to be biological females at birth.

The LPGA and USGA’s new stance represents a significant shift in their approach to gender inclusivity.

While the organizations have reiterated their commitment to diversity, the decision underscores their focus on maintaining competitive equity within women’s golf.

The “Competitive Fairness Gender Policy” aims to address long-standing concerns from players and fans while setting a precedent for how elite sports handle the complex intersection of gender identity and competitive integrity.

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