Hailey Davidson (golfer)

Last updated

Hailey Davidson
Personal information
Born1991or1992(age 32–33) [1]
Scotland
Alma mater Wilmington University, Christopher Newport
Years active2021–present
Sport
SportGolf

Hailey Davidson is a Scottish-born American golfer.

Contents

Early life and education

Davidson was born in Scotland and emigrated to the United States with her parents at age five. [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

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]

Disqualifications

In March 2024, NXXT disqualified Davidson under rules specifying all players must have been assigned female at birth. [9] In December 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

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

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