Transgender golfer Haley Davidson has initiated a lawsuit against the LPGA and USGA over their policies that prevent biological males who have gone through puberty from competing in women’s events.
The LPGA acknowledged the lawsuit and stated that it “will proceed with the process in the appropriate forum.” The organization emphasized that its gender policy was crafted through a careful, expert-informed process to maintain the competitive integrity of women’s golf.
Starting in 2025, both the USGA and LPGA have revised their gender policies. The new rules specify that players must be assigned female at birth or must have transitioned to female prior to reaching male puberty.
Davidson, who is 33, transitioned after puberty. In 2024, she participated in the U.S. Open Qualifier and applied to the LPGA Qualifier School, but neither attempt was successful.
In her lawsuit, Davidson claims that the new policy effectively blocks transgender women from competing in USGA women’s events or LPGA tournaments, especially since many states have laws against administering hormones or blocking puberty in minors.
After being denied participation in the qualifications, Davidson argued that the Hackensack Golf Club was acting unlawfully, asserting that all eligibility decisions were under USGA control. She began hormone treatment in her early 20s in 2015 and had gender reassignment surgery in 2021, which met the previous LPGA gender policy requirements.
Additionally, she filed a lawsuit against the women’s golf tour NXXT in December following changes to its policy that restrict competition based on biological sex. Lawyers representing NXXT and America First Legal have sought to dismiss this lawsuit, expressing optimism about its potential dismissal.
NXXT Golf’s CEO Stuart McKinnon stated that they have requested the court to reject the motion and are actively addressing the matter, aiming to ensure clarity and integrity in women’s sports. He mentioned that the organization feels it’s crucial to define competitive categories responsibly.
NXXT was among the pioneers of the policy change for women’s tours, with the LPGA following suit in December 2024 by introducing further guidelines to protect the women’s category.
