Hailey Davidson, a transgender golfer, participated in the US Women’s Open qualifying tournament.
A competitor likened transgender golfer Hailey Davidson to a “castrated male dog” after the Scot earned a backup spot at the US Women’s Open. The 30-year-old participated in the 36-hole qualifying event at Bradenton Country Club this month, and although she placed third in a three-way tie, she was just unable to secure an automatic berth.
However, she secured the top alternate spot by birdieing the first playoff hole alongside two-time LPGA Tour winner Jasmine Suwannapura and Louise Olsson Campbell.
If only one player withdraws, then Davidson will compete in the tournament, which takes place at the Lancaster Country Club in Pennsylvania from May 30 to June 2.
“So you’re telling me there’s a chance!” Davidson wrote on Instagram in response to her performance. She clarified, saying, “I DO in fact have legal documentation from the USGA that allowed me to play in the first place so zero rules were broken as always,” and shared a picture of the alternate player regulations that were formally released by the USGA.
Nevertheless, one of the 55 competitors in the field criticized her for competing in Bradenton. When asked whether she believed it was appropriate for transgender golfers to compete in women’s events, the player chose to stay anonymous in her conversation with OutKick’s Mark Harris.
She said, “It is not fair,” and then launched into an insulting analogy. There is no other way to put it other than a male dog remains a male dog even after neutering. They’re never referred to as female dogs.
Furthermore, she proposed that the relevant authorities should now authorize different competitions for individuals who have had the necessary gender-affirming surgery. “I think we should do a trans open for them if transgender golf is becoming more popular,” she continued.
The athlete also mentioned a scene from the qualifying round in which Davidson holed out from 40 feet off the green and exclaimed in a way that was perceived as being in a “male tone” in celebration. He continued, saying, “Everyone was in shock and not a single person clapped.”
Trans women are allowed to compete in female events thanks to the LPGA’s gender policy, which has also been adopted by the Epson Tour, Ladies European Tour, LET Access Series, and LPGA Professionals competitions. In order to play against other women, golfers had to be ‘female at birth,’ but that requirement was lifted in 2010.
However, competitors must identify as female, present documentation of gender reassignment surgery, and show that they have undergone hormonal therapy for at least a year. Additionally, testosterone levels must fall within a particular range.
Other sports have different policies; for example, World Athletics forbids transgender women from participating in the female division at international competitions. The president of the governing body, Lord Coe, stated earlier this year that after March 31 of this year, no transgender athlete who had experienced male puberty would be allowed to participate in female world ranking events.
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