Transgender golfer Hailey Davidson has secured her spot on the Epson Tour for 2025 after finishing T95 in the second stage of the LPGA Q-Series with a final round score of 72 at Florida’s Plantation Golf and Country Club. Her excitement might be short-lived, though, as there are talks about potential changes in who can compete in these events. The LPGA is considering a new rule that could prevent male-born golfers from joining women’s competitions.
Reports by James Corrigan from The Telegraph reveal that LPGA’s Mollie Marcoux has confirmed an ongoing review, with decisions expected by year-end and any new rules kicking in before next season. This follows a letter sent to major golf organizations like the LPGA, USGA, and IGF back in August, signed by 275 professionals urging for such a ban.
Davidson aimed to become the first transgender golfer to earn an LPGA Tour card. To achieve this dream, she needed to reach December’s final qualifying stage at Magnolia Grove Golf Club in Alabama. Despite starting with a challenging six-over 78, she bounced back with rounds of 69 and 71 but ended up missing the cut-off by six strokes after her even-par final round.
Review Sparks Debate:
While she didn’t make it this time, she’s still eligible for next year’s developmental tour—though her status remains uncertain until the review concludes. Fans might think it’s unfair if she’s banned without clear reasons. Earlier this year, NXXT Golf faced a similar situation when Davidson won her first all-women’s event at their Women’s Classic in Florida.
Her win led NXXT Golf to reconsider its gender policies and ask for more testosterone tests from Davidson. By March, they decided only female-at-birth competitors could participate, which meant excluding Davidson—a decision she described as “a slap in the face to all female athletes” on Instagram.
Davidson expressed frustration over being removed from three upcoming NXXT tournaments she’d already been approved for. Now she waits anxiously to see if she’ll play on the Epson Tour while staying silent about her future plans after her last round in Florida.
Meanwhile, players advancing to Q-Series’ final stage include Great Britain & Ireland Curtis Cup stars Mimi Rhodes and Sara Byrne—both turned pro recently. Rhodes tied for first place alongside Adela Cernousek; Byrne finished strong at T6.
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