Hailey Davidson (golfer)

Hailey Davidson is a Scottish-born American golfer.

Hailey Davidson
Personal information
Born1991 or 1992 (age 32–33)[1]
Scotland
Alma materWilmington University, Christopher Newport
Years active2021-present
Sport
SportGolf

Early life and education

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Davidson was born in Scotland and at age five with her parents emigrated to the United States.[1][2][3] She was born with clubfoot, and as a child underwent multiple surgeries to correct it.[3]

Davidson had a full scholarship in men's golf at Division II Wilmington University in Delaware before transferring to Division III Christopher Newport in Virginia to play men's golf, finally finishing her degree online with Arizona State in 2014.[4][1][3][3]

Professional career

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Davidson has played golf professionally in the LPGA and NXXT under former rules which allowed players assigned male at birth who had transitioned and whose testosterone levels were below certain levels.[4][5][2][6][7] In 2021 she won a mini-tour event.[5] In 2024 she failed by a single shot to qualify for the U.S. Women’s Open.[8]

In March of 2024 NXXT disqualified Davidson under rules specifying all players must have been assigned female at birth.[9] In December of 2024 the LPGA and USGA disqualified her from 2025 tournaments and championships under new rules that barred players who had neither been assigned female at birth nor undergone transition prior to experiencing male puberty.[8][1][10]

Davidson criticized both rules changes.[6][9][10][11][12]

Personal life

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Davidson is transgender. She began hormone treatments in 2015 and had gender-affirming surgery in 2021.[4][1]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "LPGA changes gender policy to ban Hailey Davidson, other transgender golfers". South China Morning Post. 2024-12-05. Retrieved 2024-12-06.
  2. ^ a b Carter, Iain (2024-12-04). "Hailey Davidson: LPGA updates policy on transgender women golfers". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2024-12-06.
  3. ^ a b c d Webb, Karleigh. "Hailey Davidson makes pro golf history as she shines against the odds". OutSports. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  4. ^ a b c Ferguson, Doug (2024-10-22). "Hailey Davidson opens qualifying with 78 as 275 players reportedly oppose LPGA transgender policy". AP News. Retrieved 2024-12-06.
  5. ^ a b Schwabb, Billie (2024-10-23). "Hailey Davidson, transgender golf star, faces calls to be removed". Newsweek. Retrieved 2024-12-06.
  6. ^ a b Thompson, Jackson (2024-12-05). "Women's golf tour owner reveals harrowing experience with trans golfer that sparked push for new LPGA ban". Fox News. Retrieved 2024-12-06.
  7. ^ Nichols, Beth Ann (2024-10-25). "Transgender golfer Hailey Davidson fails to advance at LPGA Qualifying but earns Epson Tour status for 2025". Golfweek. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  8. ^ a b Ferguson, Doug (2024-12-04). "LPGA and USGA to require players to be assigned female at birth or transition before male puberty". AP News. Retrieved 2024-12-06.
  9. ^ a b Russell, John (2024-03-11). "Trans golfer expertly explains why banning trans women from the sport insults all women athletes". LGBTQ Nation. Retrieved 2024-12-07.
  10. ^ a b Nichols, Beth Ann (December 2024). "Q&A: USGA CEO Mike Whan explains major shift in transgender policy". MSN. Retrieved 2024-12-07.
  11. ^ Higham, Paul (2024-12-05). "'The Greatest Achievement I've Earned In My Life Taken From Me" - Transgender Golfer Hailey Davidson Responds To LPGA Ban". Golf Monthly Magazine. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  12. ^ Gaydos, Ryan (2024-12-04). "LPGA Tour's gender-eligibility policy change draws fiery reaction from transgender golfer". Fox News. Retrieved 2024-12-11.