LPGA and USGA Players Must Now Be Born Female — or Transition Before Male Puberty — to Compete in Tournaments

The LPGA, as well as the United States Golf Association, announced new gender policies on Wednesday restricting the participation of transgender golf players.

According to the new rules, players must either have been born female — or transitioned before going through male puberty — to compete in the LPGA and the USGA’s female championship. This will go into effect in 2025.

As noted by The Associated Press, these rules make golfer Hailey Davidson ineligible to compete. The 32-year-old began hormone treatments in 2015 before undergoing surgery in 2021. That surgery was required under the LPGA’s old gender policy.

Davidson most recently competed in the second stage of LGPA Qualifying in October. Though she failed to earn LPGA status, she’ll enter 2025 with Epson Tour status — a lower level under the LPGA’s developmental circuit. She was just the second transgender athlete to earn status on the circuit.

The new policies will also be applied to the Epson Tour.

“Can’t say I didn’t see this coming,

” Davidson said Wednesday on Instagram. “Banned from the Epson and the LPGA. All the silence and people wanting to stay ‘neutral’ thanks for absolutely nothing. This happened because of all your silence.”

LPGA Commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan said the policies were “reflective of an extensive, science-based and inclusive approach.”