‘A huge win for women’: New policy stops men competing in women’s golf

Men will no longer be able to compete in The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) competitions, following a change in policy.

The new policy states that “any players assigned male at birth and who have gone through male puberty are not eligible”, and comes into effect at the beginning of 2025.

The move comes in the wake of many female golfers speaking out after Hailey Davidson, a biological man, came close to qualifying for the US women’s open this year.

Scientific and inclusive

Mollie Marcoux, the LPGA commissioner, explained: “Our policy is reflective of an extensive, science-based and inclusive approach”.

She added: “The policy represents our continued commitment to ensuring that all feel welcome within our organisation, while preserving the fairness and competitive equity of our elite competitions.”

A working group was formed to establish the new guidance. Marcoux said that the group “has advised that the effects of male puberty confer competitive advantages in golf performance compared to players who have not undergone male puberty”.

Our policy is reflective of an extensive, science-based and inclusive approach

She stated that the change of rules “prioritises the competitive integrity of women’s professional tournaments”.

‘Huge win’

Amy Olson, retired professional golfer said: “This goes a long way to protecting fairness in women’s sports”.

She added: “Thank you to the LPGA and USGA for your courage and leading on this issue and making sure that we protect these opportunities for women.”

⛳️ 10-year @LPGA veteran golfer & IWF ambassador @AmyOlsonGolf shares her thoughts on the monumental directional change by LPGA & USGA that acknowledges women deserve fair, single-sex athletics. https://t.co/14WhIkGWTa pic.twitter.com/JmfTZ1MLxB

— Independent Women’s Forum (@IWF) December 4, 2024

Professional golfer Lauren Miller said: “I’ve always viewed it as common sense that men and women are different, and that’s okay. That’s the beauty. That we are made different, and it’s okay to have women’s sports, period”.

She continued: “So, hearing this decision come out, and knowing the impact it has on lower level tours and even ultimately, at the highest level, is a huge win for women and for women’s golf.”