Both the LPGA and USGA released statements Wednesday updating their gender guidelines for competition eligibility, set to take effect in 2025. Under the new guidelines, eligible athletes for LPGA and USGA women's competition must be assigned female at birth or transition to female prior to competing through male puberty.
“Accordingly, under the new policy, athletes assigned female at birth will be eligible to compete on the LPGA Tour, the Epson Tour, the Ladies European Tour and all other elite LPGA competitions,” the LPGA released in a statement Explanation. “Players who were assigned male at birth and have gone through male puberty are not eligible to participate in the above events. The guidelines for the LPGA’s recreational programs and non-elite events use different criteria to provide opportunities for participation in the broader LPGA community.”
Both organizations will assemble a committee or panel that will apply the guidelines in making eligibility decisions.
“We remain committed to providing everyone the opportunity to compete for a national title or team, but have made changes to our eligibility criteria that reflect current scientific data and are aimed at maintaining competitive integrity,” said Mike Whan, CEO the USGA. “Our updated policy reflects a thoughtful and thorough process in which the USGA consulted with leading medical professionals from around the world.”
The updated guidelines follow transgender golfer Hailey Davidson's headlines last fall. Davidson was granted limited status on the Epson Tour for the 2025 season due to her place in the second phase of the LPGA's Q-Series, but can no longer qualify for the development round. After playing men's college golf at Wilmington University and Christopher Newport, Davidson began transitioning in 2015 and underwent gender reassignment surgery in 2021.
Davidson wrote on her Instagram Story: “Can’t say I didn’t see this coming. Banned from the Epson and the LPGA. All the silence and people wanting to remain 'neutral', thank you for absolutely nothing. This happened because of all your silence.”
