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Trans Golfer Hailey Davidson Sues USGA and LPGA Over Women’s Eligibility Rules

She argues the 2025 policy operates as a de facto ban for most transgender women.

Overview

  • Davidson filed suit in New Jersey on March 19 naming the USGA, the LPGA, Hackensack Golf Club, and three LPGA officials after being denied a U.S. Women’s Open qualifier entry.
  • The challenged policy, adopted in 2024 for 2025 and later events, limits eligibility to athletes assigned female at birth or those who transitioned before male puberty.
  • The complaint claims Hackensack Golf Club unlawfully deferred eligibility decisions to the USGA when refusing her entry.
  • An LPGA statement said it will let the legal process proceed and described its gender policy as expert-informed and focused on competitive integrity.
  • Davidson previously met earlier criteria after starting hormones in 2015 and surgery in 2021, competed in 2024 qualifiers, and has a separate suit against NXXT Golf, which has moved to dismiss.