Female Golfer Speaks Out After Losing To Trans Player In Qualifier: 'Not A Backup For Mediocre Male Athletes'

Transgender golfer Hailey Davidson has a legitimate chance to compete in this month's U.S. Women's Open after earning the first alternate spot at a qualifying tournament earlier this month. One woman forced to compete against the biological male in that event has elected to speak out about the ridiculous situation.

Davidson, who played for multiple men's teams in college, came within one stroke of automatically qualifying for the U.S. Women's Open at Bradenton Country Club in Florida earlier this month. Davidson birdied the opening playoff hole to claim the first alternate spot with two-time LPGA Tour winner Jasmine Suwannapura earning second alternate and professional Louise Olsson Campbell having her alternate opportunity taken from her.

One of the 55 women Davidson beat in the qualifier recalled one specific moment that stood out to her during the event.

"Best part was when he/him/she/her/it/the holed out [from] 40 feet off the green and goes ‘fu-k yeah’ with the lowest male tone I heard all day," the female player, who requested anonymity out of concern over repercussions for speaking out, said via direct messages. "Everyone was in shock and not a single person clapped."

The anonymous player doesn't believe that she, nor any other female golfers, should be put in a position to have to compete against biological males, but the LPGA and USGA believe differently, at least for now. Both organizations have adopted gender policies that deem biological male competitors eligible to compete against biological females if they have undergone gender reassignment surgery and met hormonal therapy requirements. 

The U.S. Women's Open could welcome a transgender player in this year's tournament.  (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

When reached for comment, J.D. Sterba, the LPGA's director of public relations and executive communications, provided the following statement: "In consultation with relevant medical, sports science and legal experts, we're continuing to review our current [gender] policy." The USGA did not provide a comment.

Davidson Meets Eligibility Requirements

Davidson meets eligibility requirements after reportedly undergoing gender reassignment surgery in 2021 and would acquire a spot in the U.S. Women's Open field, which is governed by the USGA, if the first or second-place finisher from the Bradenton qualifier withdraws from the tournament.

"I am not in agreement with the LPGA and USGA. [I am] more worried about the future of daughters everywhere," the player stated. "Every woman on the tour is working so hard to be on the tour and play golf for [a] living. Women’s sports are not a backup option for mediocre male athletes."

"It is not fair," the player continued when asked if she believes it is fair for trans golfers to compete in women's events. 

"There’s not any other way to explain it [other] than if you neuter a male dog, it’s still a male dog," she said. "We never call them [a] female dog. I believe if transgender golf is getting more attention, aka popular, then let’s do [a] trans open for them."

Hailey Davidson is one player withdrawal away from getting a spot in the 2024 U.S. Women's Open. (OutKick/MattReigle)

Her suggestion of hosting a "trans open" is important to note. She is not suggesting transgender individuals be banned from golf entirely, but instead simply stating that biological males should not be eligible to compete against women.

‘Running Backwards’

"I think golf is a sport, it should never have to be involved with politics," the player explained. "Women’s golf fought so hard to be equal pay as a male, but then if transgender [players] get to be here on the tour, then we are definitely running backwards."

When asked if she believes transgender athletes have a physical advantage over female athletes, the player replied, "100%."

In March, NXXT Golf, a women's professional tour Davidson was competing and winning on, announced that all competitors must be a biological female at birth to participate. The USGA and LPGA, two much higher-profile organizations in golf, have elected to take a different route. 

The U.S. Women's Open begins on May 30 and will be played at Lancaster Country Club in Pennsylvania.