Transgender golfer Hailey Davidson takes one step closer to LPGA card as tour continues gender policy review

A total of 100 players advanced out of the LPGA’s Pre-Qualifying Stage (formerly Stage I) and among them was transgender golfer Hailey Davidson.

“Third time’s a charm!” Davidson wrote on Instagram.

Three years ago, Davidson became the second transgender player to compete in LPGA Q-School, where she did not advance past the first stage. She tried again in 2022, missing the 54-hole cut by a single stroke.

This time around, Davidson tied for 42nd at Mission Hills Country Club with rounds of 72-72-69-71 to finish at 4 under. She now advances to the Qualifying Stage (formerly Stage II) October 15-18 in Venice, Florida. Those who complete the 72-hole event (play all four rounds) at Plantation Golf and Country Club will earn Epson Tour status based on their finish. Those who make the cut will advance to Final Qualifying, which will take place in December.

Amateur Ashley Menne won the Pre-Qualifying Stage with a 16-under total.

Days before the Pre-Qualifying event started, LPGA commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan sent out a memo to LPGA and Epson Tour players regarding the tour’s Gender Policy. Golfweek confirmed that in the memo, Marcoux Samaan stated that the tour planned to conclude a lengthy review of its current policy by year’s end and would implement any updates to the policy before the 2025 season.

The commissioner stated that the tour’s top priority must be to have a policy that provides for fair competition and considers “first and foremost” competitive advantage.

In 2010, the LPGA voted to eliminate its requirement that players be “female at birth” not long after a transgender woman filed a lawsuit against the tour.

Earlier this year, Davidson came within one spot of qualifying for the 79th U.S. Women’s Open, the biggest championship in women’s golf.

Davidson had primarily competed on NXXT Golf until the Florida-based mini tour announced in March – on International Women’s Day – that competitors must be a biological female at birth to participate.

A three-time winner on the tour, Davidson ranked second on the mini tour’s season standings at the time of the ban. She had played nine times this season on the NXXT.

This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Transgender golfer Hailey Davidson takes one step closer to LPGA card as tour continues gender policy review