Two governing bodies for ladies’ golf, the LPGA and the USGA, announced new guidelines that require competitors to be born biologically female or have transitioned before undergoing male puberty.
Biologically male players who have gone through male puberty are no longer eligible to compete in the LPGA Tour, Epson Tour, Ladies European Tour, or USGA championships and team events.
“Our policy is reflective of an extensive, science-based and inclusive approach,” LPGA Commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan said in a press release. “The policy represents our continued commitment to ensuring that all feel welcome within our organization, while preserving the fairness and competitive equity of our elite competitions.”
Marcoux Samaan announced the policy update on Dec. 4, two days after unexpectedly announcing she was stepping down as commissioner of the LPGA.
The updated guidelines inform transgender-identifying golfers that they must prove they have not experienced any part of male puberty beyond stage two of the Tanner scale, a classification used to identify stages of puberty and development by the Cleveland Clinic.
Transgender-identifying golfers must also maintain a “concentration of testosterone in their serum below 2.5 nmol/L,” the LPGA said in its updated guidance.
“We remain committed to providing opportunities for everyone to compete for a national title or team but have made changes to our eligibility criteria that reflects current scientific data and strives to maintain competitive integrity,” USAG CEO Mike Whan said in a press release.
Both the LPGA and the USGA cited the need to ensure “competitive integrity” as a top priority.
The updated guidance would disqualify controversial male golfer Hailey Davidson from the tours. Davidson, who identifies as a transgender woman, competed in the LPGA. Davidson’s presence led 275 female golfers to sign a letter asking the governing bodies to change policies that allow biological males in female competitions.
“Can’t say I didn’t see this coming,” Davidson said in an Instagram story. “All the silence and people wanting to stay ‘neutral’ thanks for absolutely nothing.”
This piece first appeared at TPUSA.
