Shout out to the LPGA for this!
The LPGA Tour updated its gender eligibility policy on Wednesday, making it official at the tournament. The beginning of the 2025 campaign.
The tour said in a press release that biological males who have completed puberty will be prohibited from playing on the LPGA, Epson Tour, Ladies European Tour and other competitions associated with the brand. (Related: Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi learns fate of 'I Love Jesus' message written on Premier League LGBTQ armband)
“Athletes designated male at birth and who have passed male puberty are not eligible to compete in the aforementioned tournaments,” the LPGA Tour said in a statement. “The LPGA's recreational programs and policies governing non-elite events utilize different standards to provide opportunities for participation in the broader LPGA community.”
The organization's policy update comes after two professional golfers and another now-retired player called for changes to the LPGA's rules regarding gender eligibility.
“Golf provides all athletes with the opportunity to compete at the professional and elite amateur levels,” the LPGA Tour said. “Individual competitions are generally divided into 'women's competitions', which have specific eligibility requirements, and 'open competitions', where all athletes are eligible, regardless of gender.”
🚨🏌🏼♀️⛳️ #new: The LPGA Tour has announced major changes to its gender policy for 2025. Athletes who are considered “female at birth” are eligible to compete. (via @gabbyherzig) Full statement:
“Under the new policy, athletes assigned female at birth will be entitled to… pic.twitter.com/PLJLHyj44N
— NUCLR Golf (@NUCLRGOLF) December 4, 2024
Thank you LPGA for sticking to science and simple common sense!
