275 female golfers send letter against transgender golfer Hailey Davidson competing in the LPGA Q-School

At least 275 players have sent a letter to the Ladies Professional Golf Association and other institutions protesting the participation of transgender golfers on women's tours. The letter was released as transgender player Hailey Davidson competes in the LPGA Tour's Q-School.

The letter was released exclusively by Out Kick at the behest of the Independent Women's Forum, a nonprofit women's organization dedicated to celebrating the achievements of women and expanding their opportunities and options.

According to Out Kick, the letter was sent to both the LPGA and the United States Golf Association (USGA), as well as the International Golf Federation (IGF). The report also puts the number of players supporting the statement at more than 275.

Here is part of the letter (via Out Kick):

"We all know there can be no equal athletic opportunity for women without a separate female golf category. Yet, the LPGA continues to propagate a policy that allows male athletes to qualify, compete and win in women’s golf..."

The letter continues:

"LPGA policy does not explicitly state eligibility based on sex. It is essential for the integrity and fairness of women’s golf to have a clear and consistent participation policy in place based on a player’s immutable sex. There are differences between the sexes—female and male—that specifically affect our sport of golf."

According to the report, the letter includes statistical data intended to support the view that transgender players have advantages over female players. In addition, the letter makes two requests to the organization:

"Repeal all policies and rules that allow male golfers to participate in women's golf events"
"Establish and enforce the right of female professional golfers to participate in women's golf based on sex-eligibilty must be limited to members of the female sex."

Why is Hailey Davidson eligible to play on the LPGA Tour Q-School?

Hailey Davidson is a transgender golfer who has been playing on various mini-tours for the past few years. Last August, she participated in the first phase of LPGA Tour Q-School and qualified as one of the 246 players who will compete in the second phase, which begins this Tuesday, October 22.

Davidson's participation is supported by the Gender Policy of the world's premier women's tour. The policy states that a player is eligible to play on the tour if she has undergone gender reassignment surgery.

The player must also have been on hormone therapy for at least one year prior to surgery. Their testosterone levels must be low enough to minimize or negate the gender-related athletic advantages.

Davidson underwent such surgery in 2021, although she had begun hormone replacement therapy in 2015.

In January 2024, Davidson won a tournament on the NXXT Women's Pro Tour mini-tour, making headlines around the golf world. Subsequently, the NXXT tour banned Davidson by changing its rules and stating that all players must be born female to be eligible.