The NXXT Women’s Pro Tour in America has launched a survey of its members after Scotland’s Hailey Davidson became the first transgender golfer to win a professional tournament.
Davidson carded a four-over-par total over 54 holes to win the NXXT Women’s Classic at the Mission Inn Resort and Club in Florida.
Originally from Scotland, but now based in Florida, Davidson played on the men’s team at Wilmington University, before transferring to Christopher Newport University in Virginia. In 2015, she started receiving hormone treatments and, in January 2021, underwent gender reassignment surgery.
Davidson’s victory divided opinion, with many social media users taking issue with the fact that somebody who was born a male is able to compete and win on a women’s golf tour. The 30-year-old responded to those comments with a follow-up post on X.
“It’s always interesting how no one gets angry until there is any form of success,” she wrote. “While this win was amazing, I am so incredibly far from the LPGA Tour with a lot of work to be done to possibly earn my way there one day. will never allow hate to win, especially when based in some misinformation.”
The NXXT Women’s Pro Tour has a partnership with the Epson Tour, the official feeder tour to the LPGA. The top-five earners on the NXXT points list will earn exemptions into Epson Tour fields, subject to certain conditions. Davidson currently leads the standings with 1,320 points – 150 points ahead of her nearest challenger, Maria Bohorquez.
In deciding to enter into a dialogue with its members over it current transgender guidelines, which have been formulated in alignment with those of the LPGA and the USGA, the NXXT Women’s Pro Tour said that is “vital to consider the perspectives of those directly affected by these policies”, with the survey asking opinions on gender policy.
The current guidelines state players should have declared their gender as female, have undergone gender reassignment surgery and must have undergone hormonal therapy and maintained testosterone levels appropriate for the assigned sex.
The tour says that when Davidson joined the tour she complied with its policies, but that her participation and success in Florida has ‘highlighted a range of viewpoints’ and that ‘our decisions are guided by what is best for our players, setting aside personal beliefs’.
A statement continued: “We understand that this topic evokes strong feelings and diverse viewpoints. We encourage constructive dialogue and respect for all athletes who strive to compete at the highest levels of their sport. We appreciate the passion and commitment of our golfing community and remain dedicated to providing a platform that upholds the integrity of women’s professional golf.”
Speaking to Sky News, Ayrshire-born Davison said: “I recognise that I did have an unfair advantage a few years ago. I’ve been transitioning for nine years. I’ve been on hormones for almost nine years, I had surgery coming up almost on three years. I’ve lost just over 50mph swing speed. Trans athletes shouldn’t be banned, but at the same time, there needs to be regulations in place because it shouldn’t just be a free for all.”
What is the policy on transgender athletes in other professional sports?
In 2022, swimming’s world governing body Fina voted to stop transgender athletes from competing in women’s elite races if they had gone through any part of the process of male puberty, while in the same year the Rugby Football League and Rugby Football Union banned transgender women from competing in female-only forms of their games.
Just six months ago, UCI, the world cycling’s governing body, ruled transgender women would be prevented from competing in female events., while in November last year, the International Cricket Council barred transgender women from playing in international women’s matches.