Transgender Golfer Sues LPGA and USGA
A transgender golfer has initiated a lawsuit against the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) and the United States Golf Association (USGA) due to their regulations that prevent men who have undergone puberty from participating in women’s events.
The LPGA has recognized the lawsuit and stated that they will allow the legal process to proceed in an appropriate manner.
In a statement, the organization mentioned that their gender policy was created through a careful process led by experts, aimed at safeguarding the competitive integrity of women’s golf at a high level.
Reportedly, both organizations revised their participation criteria in 2025, necessitating that athletes be born female or have transitioned and started competing as female prior to male puberty.
Hayley Davidson, a 33-year-old male golfer who identifies as transgender, didn’t begin transitioning until after puberty. In 2024, he was able to qualify for the US Open and LPGA qualifying schools under a different set of rules, but did not succeed in either.
The lawsuit asserts that the updated transgender policy effectively excludes “transgender women” from participating in group events, especially given that many states do not allow sex-change treatments for minors.
As per the report, when the USGA disqualified Davidson from qualifying, he noted that all eligibility decisions were managed by them and alleged that Hackensack Golf Club was breaking the law. Davidson has been undergoing hormone treatment since his early 20s in 2015 and had gender reassignment surgery in 2021, fulfilling the requirements of the LPGA’s previous policy.
In December, Davidson also filed another lawsuit against the women’s golf tour NXXT, following their rule changes that barred men and women from competing together.
NXXT Golf CEO Stuart McKinnon commented that they have requested the court to reject the motion and are actively addressing the issue. He added that the primary intention was to safeguard women’s sports, emphasizing the need for clarity and competitive integrity. As a professional tour, they feel it is their duty to define these categories.
