Transgender Golfer Hailey Davidson Sues LPGA and USGA Over New Gender Eligibility Policy

Transgender golfer Hailey Davidson, 33, has sued the LPGA and USGA over their updated gender eligibility policy for women’s competitions.

The policy-effective 2025-requires players to be assigned female at birth or to have transitioned to female before undergoing male puberty. Davidson, who began hormone therapy in 2015 and underwent gender-affirming surgery in 2021, transitioned after puberty.

She previously competed in U.S. Open qualifying and LPGA Q-School under prior rules but missed both cuts. After the USGA denied her entry into a qualifier, she filed suit, arguing the new standard effectively excludes most transgender women due to state-level medical restrictions on youth care.

Davidson also sued the NXXT women’s tour in December after it adopted a similar policy. NXXT filed a motion to dismiss in February, calling its rule essential to competitive integrity and clarity in women’s sports.

The LPGA stated its policy was developed through expert consultation and remains grounded in protecting elite women’s golf.