Transgender golfer Hailey Davidson fails at LPGA Qualifying; Earns Epson Tour status
Transgender golfer Hailey Davidson fell short of making history as she missed out on earning her LPGA Tour card through qualifying. However, she has secured limited membership on the Epson Tour for next season, becoming only the second transgender golfer to achieve this.
On Friday, October 25, Davidson carded an even-par 72 at the second stage of LPGA Qualifying. After four rounds, she aggregated at 2-over, missing the cutline by six shots. She finished inside the top 80 and will be in Category 1 on the Epson Tour Priority List for the 2025 season.
Before Davidson, Bobbi Lancaster earned a card in 2013 through Stage I of LPGA Q-School but never played in any tournaments.
A few months ago, the Independent Women’s Forum sent a letter to the LPGA, USGA, and IGF (International Golf Federation) requesting that organizers reconsider allowing biological males in women’s events. The letter, signed by more than 275 female golfers, emphasized the need for a consistent participation policy to ensure fairness in women’s golf.
In response, the LPGA stated that they would review their gender policy by the end of this year and, if needed, modify it for the 2025 season.
Following the second stage of LPGA Qualifying at Plantation Golf and Country Club in Venice, Florida, Mimi Rhodes and Adela Cernousek hold a one-shot lead at 14-under. The top 25 competitors and ties after Final Qualifying in December will earn their LPGA Tour cards for the next season.
"They want to bring others down to their level." Hailey Davidson shares cryptic posts after missing on LPGA Qualifying
Following her loss at the LPGA Qualifying, Hailey Davidson posted a cryptic message on Instagram.
"No one who is actually winning takes time to leave negative comments or talk others down," she wrote. "It's only those who continuously fail or didnt achieve their dreams. They want to bring others down to their level because they will never make it at whatever they wanted to do and need someone else to blame
Hailey Davidson previously played primarily on the NXXT Golf Tour, where she claimed three victories. However, the Florida-based mini tour recently changed its rules, banning competitors who were biologically male at birth from their events. At that time, she was ranked second in the season standings.
Davidson also competed in the US Women's Open qualifying earlier this year but missed a spot by just one shot.