Trans Woman Sues Ladies Professional Golf Association After She Says She Was Banned From Competing

Transgender athlete Hailey Davidson is suing the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) and the United States Golf Association (USGA) after she says she was unlawfully banned from competition.

The golfer, 33, filed the lawsuit against the two organizations on Thursday, March 19, alleging that a policy change kept her from competing in a 2025 U.S. Women’s Open qualifier at the Hackensack Gold Club in New Jersey, according to ESPN and Fox Sports.

In the suit, Davidson claims that the new policy is essentially a total competition ban for all trans women, citing the fact that at least 30 states have passed laws that prohibit trans children from accessing gender-affirming care, like hormones or puberty blocking medication — essentially making it impossible for any trans athlete to meet the new qualifications for competition.

Davidson also names the Hackensack Golf Club in the lawsuit, arguing that the Club violated the law when it claimed that the USGA was the sole decision maker regarding player eligibility.

The athlete is seeking “unspecified damages,” according to ESPN.

“The LPGA’s gender policy was developed through a thoughtful, expert-informed process and is grounded in protecting the competitive integrity of elite women’s golf,” an LPGA spokesperson said in a statement, acknowledging that the organization is aware of the lawsuit and would “let that process play out on the proper forum.”