Over 275 Women Golfers Send Letter to LPGA Expressing Concerns About Trans Golfers Competing Against Women.

A total of 246 players will be competing in this week’s LPGA Qualifying Series in hopes of punching their ticket into December’s final stage of qualifying school (Q-School) to earn an opportunity to earn an LPGA card. Among the 246-player field is transgender golfer Hailey Davidson, whose inclusion may align with LPGA’s current gender policy, but not with the vast majority of fellow competitors.

Davidson advanced through the pre-qualifying stage of Q-School in August after finishing in a tie for 42nd and was allowed to do so despite more than 275 female players voicing their concerns over a biological male competing in women’s golf.

As the Independent Women’s Forum shared with OutKick, over 275 female golfers sent a letter to the LPGA, United States Golf Association (USGA), and the International Golf Federation (IGF) on August 19, three days before the opening round of the pre-qualifying stage of Q-School.

Those letters clearly fell on deaf ears with the LPGA allowing Davidson to compete and advance in pre-qualifying, taking an opportunity away from a biological female in the tournament field. 

Both the LPGA and the USGA have adopted gender policies that deem male competitors eligible to compete as natural females if they have undergone gender reassignment surgery and meet hormone therapy requirements. Davidson meets eligibility requirements after reportedly undergoing gender reassignment surgery in 2021.

READ: Woman Golfer Speaks Out After Trans Player Loses Qualification: ‘Not Backup for Mediocre Male Athletes’

One of the best golfers driving this women’s golf event is Lauren Miller, who has had to compete with Davidson in the past. Miller contacted OutKick’s Dan Dakich earlier this month to explain the absurdity of the situation.

“No way in the world did I think it would be like this,” Miller told Dakich. “I’ve talked to my parents about this, and they can’t believe they have a daughter who has to go through this. It’s really scary to realize the kind of situation we’re in today and that this is the situation the world.”

As noted in the letter, hundreds of women golfers did not accept the so-called truth and aligned themselves with Miller.

“We all know that there can be no equal athletic opportunity for women without a separate women’s golf club. However, the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) continues to promote the policy that allows male athletes to qualify, compete and win in women’s golf, even as several national and international governing bodies and state legislatures continue to oppose these policies unfair and unjust that harms female athletes,” the letter reads in part.

“The LPGA policy does not explicitly state eligibility based on sex. It is important to the integrity and fairness of women’s golf to have a clear and consistent policy on participation based on sex that does not change of player. There is a difference between the sexes – the women and the men – that affects our game of golf in particular,” the letter continues.

“The male driving advantage is estimated to have a 30% chance of playing; this is a very significant difference in terms of sports. The anatomical differences between men and women affect clubhead speed and control stability when the ball. Women have a higher heart rate and meet the greater demands of the body while playing, especially at high Anatomical differences are not removed by male testosterone.

The letter also provides a detailed look at the differences between male and female golfers before delving into two petitions that more than 275 female golfers want to see on the LPGA and other governing bodies in the game. they accept them.

“Repeal all policies and rules that allow male golfers to participate in women’s golf events” and “establish and enforce the right of women professionals to participate in women’s golf based on gender eligibility it must be limited to members of the female sex.”

The letter concludes with a strong statement expressing hope that golf’s governing bodies will listen to their female competitors.

“Competing at the highest level is the greatest honor, and thanks to our determination, years of hard work, and world-class knowledge, we have earned the opportunity to win the award – whether it’s a chance to play on tour, qualify for certain games, improve our standings, or come home with a win We deserve to pursue these rewards with a policy that embraces fair and equal competition. for women love.”

In March, NXXT Golf, the women’s junior tour in which Davidson competed and won, announced that all competitors must be natural-born women to participate.

Although the LPGA announced earlier this year that it was reviewing its current gender equality policy that allows naturalized men to compete with women, it has really taken time to implement any change, many would argue. that it is too late.

Davidson is still two rounds away from earning an LPGA card, but she will be awarded the women’s Epson Tour status if she completes 72 holes during qualifying this week.