Furious trans golfer sues LPGA Tour after being banned from competing in US Women's Open qualifier
Transgender golfer Hailey Davidson has filed a lawsuit against the LPGA and the USGA after she was barred from participating in a US Women's Open qualifier last year.
The 33-year-old, who was born a biological male and didn't transition until after puberty, sought to compete in USGA events but was prohibited from doing so after the organization and the LPGA, the women's top tour, changed their eligibility policy.
The USGA and LPGA changed gender policies for events in 2025 and beyond, declaring that players must be assigned female at birth or have transitioned to female before going through male puberty to be eligible to compete.
Davidson didn't transition until after puberty. She competed in a US Open qualifier and LPGA Qualifying School under a different policy in 2024, falling short in both efforts.
She named the golf club hosting the qualifier along with the USGA, the LPGA and three LPGA officials in a lawsuit filed Thursday in New Jersey. She's seeking unspecified damages.
The LPGA said in a statement it was aware of the lawsuit and would 'let that process play out on (sic) the proper forum.'