The LPGA Tour has announced that men will be banned from competing in all female golf events.
In a major update to the gender-eligibility policy, “Players assigned male at birth” are now prohibited from competing as women.
The new rule was announced in a Wednesday press release and will be officially enacted at the beginning of the 2025 campaign.
The Tour stated that all men, regardless of “gender identity,” are banned from playing in the LPGA, Epson Tour, Ladies European Tour, and any other competitions associated with their brand.
“Players assigned male at birth and who have gone through male puberty are not eligible to compete in the aforementioned events,” said the LPGA Tour.
“The policies governing the LPGA’s recreational programs and non-elite events utilize different criteria to provide opportunities for participation in the broader LPGA community.”
The organization’s update to their policy took place after a pair of professional golfers and another player who is now retired called for a change to the LPGA’s rules concerning gender eligibility.
“Golf offers opportunities for all athletes to compete at professional and elite amateur levels,” said the LPGA Tour.
“Individual competitions are generally categorized as ‘women’s events,’ which have specific eligibility requirements, or ‘open events,’ where any player, regardless of sex, is eligible to compete.”
🚨🏌🏼♀️⛳️ #NEW: The LPGA Tour has announced a major policy change to its gender policy for 2025. Athletes who are deemed “female at birth” are eligible to compete. (Via @GabbyHerzig) Full statement:
"Under the new policy, athletes who are assigned female at birth are eligible to… pic.twitter.com/PLJLHyj44N
— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) December 4, 2024
The United States Golf Association (USGA) also changed its policies to align with the LPGA’s vision.
The new rule addresses fairness and competitive balance in women’s golf amid a growing trend of men claiming to be “transgender” in female professional sports.
LPGA CEO Mike Whan addressed the rationale behind the policy in a statement.
“We needed to be able to walk into any women’s event and confidently say that nobody here has a competitive advantage based on their gender,” said Whan.
“And this policy delivers that.”
The change would impact transgender tour player Hailey Davidson, a “man” who claims to be a “transwoman.”
Davidson barely missed qualifying for the U.S. Women’s Open this season.
He has been at the center of the controversy amid a growing number of complaints about men competing in women’s sports.
The old policy stated that male players who compete in women’s events must undergo gender reassignment surgery.
In August, the Independent Women’s Forum conjured up a letter signed by players on the tour and sent to the LPGA, USGA, and IGF opposing the allowance.
Davidson released a series of Instagram story posts condemning the news.
“Can’t say I didn’t see this coming,” he wrote.
“Banned from the Epson and LPGA.
“All the silence and people want to stay neutral, thanks for nothing.
“This happened because of all your silence.
“What a great birthday present for 2024,” the rant continued.
“Having the greatest achievement I’ve earned in my life taken from me.”
However, Davidson is still free to compete in male events.
Unsurprisingly, he wouldn’t qualify for the men’s competitions.
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