Women’s pro tour will make male trans golfer take testosterone testing after recent controversy

Following the win of a trans-identified male golfer in a women’s golf tournament on the NXXT Women’s Pro Golf Tour, Stuart McKinnon, the tour’s CEO, said on Monday that they have requested the golfer undergo additional testosterone testing. 

"Recognizing the spectrum of views on this issue, we wish to highlight that our decisions are guided by what is best for our players, setting aside personal beliefs. Part of our commitment is ensuring an environment that is inclusive and safe for all members," McKinnon wrote in a press release. 

He said that the tour has "initiated a poll among our tour players to gather their opinions on our gender policy," adding that "we believe it is vital to consider the perspectives of those directly affected by these policies." 

McKinnon said that the tour has also requested that the player, Hailey Davidson, "undergo additional testosterone testing to ensure compliance with the appropriate guidelines." 

"The recent discussions surrounding Hailey Davidson’s participation and success on our tour have highlighted a range of viewpoints. The NXXT Women’s Pro Tour acknowledges these perspectives while emphasizing that our policies and decisions are guided by the frameworks set by the LPGA and USGA. Our primary focus remains on supporting our players' aspirations and contributing to their journey towards the LPGA," McKinnon wrote. 

Under USGA (United States Golf Association) policies, biological males are allowed to participate in the women’s category if they have declared that they are female, have undergone "gender reassignment surgery" and have undergone hormonal therapy "and maintained testosterone levels appropriate for the assigned sex in a verifiable manner and for a sufficient length of time to minimize gender-related advantages in sport competitions." 

The LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Association) gender policy allows males to play, if they provide records of a gonadectomy, which removes the testicles in male recipients, and lab results showing "acceptable" testosterone levels for a minimum of one year prior to competition. 

Davidson posted to Instagram on January 18 celebrating winning the NXXT Women’s Classic the day prior. Davison wrote that the win "puts me in first place in the season long race that the top 5 players get 2 Epson Tour exemptions each!" 

The top 10 players in the Epson Tour, a developmental tour of the LGPA Tour, to graduate on to the LGPA tour. 

According to the New York Post, Davidson took to Instagram’s stories feature to complain about the backlash received.

“It’s crazy the amount of misinformed hatred I have received so far today,” Davidson wrote. “All of these people (think) I hit it 300 yards or even 280 yards. How about 250 on a good day.” 

Davidson has two second place finishes and has finished in the top 10 of each of the five events Davidson has competed in. Eight events remain in the NXXT season, where Davidson leads with a total score of 1320 points, 150 points ahead of the woman in second place. 

Speaking with Good Morning Britain, Davidson agreed that males "do have advantages" over females, adding that while transgender people shouldn’t be banned from sports, "guidelines" should be in place.