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Starting 2025, LPGA and USGA Ban Transgender Athletes Who Experienced Male Puberty from Women's Golf Events

Dec 4, 2024, 06:24 PM

The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) has announced a significant change to its gender eligibility policy, set to take effect on January 1, 2025. Under the new rules, only athletes who are assigned female at birth or who have not undergone male puberty will be eligible to compete in LPGA events, including the LPGA Tour, Epson Tour, Ladies European Tour, and all other elite LPGA competitions. The LPGA cited the competitive advantages conferred by male puberty as the reason for the policy change, stating that "the effects of male puberty confer competitive advantages in golf performance compared to players who have not undergone male puberty." The United States Golf Association (USGA) simultaneously announced similar updates to its gender eligibility policy for women's events. The decision follows concerns raised by current and former LPGA players regarding the participation of transgender golfer Hailey Davidson in women's competitions. Davidson responded to the policy change by stating, "Can’t say I didn’t see this coming. All the silence and people wanting to stay ‘neutral’ thanks for absolutely nothing. This happened because of all your silence." The policy update has been applauded by some as a significant victory for women's rights in sports.