Several women’s golfers came forward to praise and celebrate the victory The LPGA rule change on Wednesday, it bans post-pubescent men from competing against women in professional competition.
The organization said in a news release that male players who have gone through male puberty are barred from playing on the LPGA Tour. Epson tourLadies European Tour and all other elite LPGA competitions. The new rule will take effect for the 2025 season.
“Players assigned male at birth and who have undergone male puberty are not eligible to participate in the above events,” the organization said. “The policies governing the LPGA’s recreational programs and non-elite events use several criteria to provide opportunities for participation in the broader LPGA community.”
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Charley Hull of England looks at her tee shot on the first hole during the final round of the LPGA Annika Golf Tournament at Pelican Golf Club, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Belleair, Florida. (AP Photo/Steve Nesius)
The International Women’s Forum (IWF) issued a press release later on Wednesday in which several female golfers spoke out in favor of the ruling. These golfers include Lauren Miller, Hannah Arnold, Dana Fall and Amy Olson.
Miller said that with the statement, she and female colleagues in professional golf have said “no more” about the problems of competing against biological males.
“This announcement from the LPGA and USGA gives me hope for the future of women’s golf,” Miller said. “The movement of female professional golfers was essential and it has been listened to – we have stood up and said, ‘No more’. By recognizing the distinction between men and women, golf leadership joins us in their desire to champion women and girls by restoring a space that prioritizes fair competition. Today, women have won.”
Olson, meanwhile, emphasized that the biological differences between men and women in sports must be recognized.
“This is a positive step forward, recognizing that an individual’s chromosomes influence their physical development in ways that are irreversible,” Olson said.
Amy Olson of the United States hits a tee shot on the 16th hole during the first round of the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give at Blythefield Country Club on June 15, 2023 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. (Raj Mehta/Getty Images)
Fall said Wednesday’s announcement shows that “women do matter” in sports.
“Today’s policy announcement is a huge win for women and girls in sport. The LPGA and USGA, the preeminent bodies that dictate the rules of women’s golf, stand up for fairness and the integrity of our sport. Today the message to women is that we matter, and they are working to restore equal opportunity and protect fairness in sport for female athletes,” said Fall.
Still, the announcement was not meant with unanimous praise. Liberals and trans rights activists have criticized the new rule.
Transgender golfer Hailey Davidson spoke out against the new rule because it will likely prevent Davidson from competing on the LPGA in the future.
“Can’t say I didn’t see this coming. Banned from the Epson and LPGA,” Davidson wrote in a post on Instagram Stories. “All the silence and people who want to remain ‘neutral’, thank you for absolutely nothing. This happened because of all your silence.
“And somehow people are surprised that the suicide rate among transgender people is around 50%. Situations like this are part of the reason.”
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Transgender golfer Hailey Davidson takes the shot during the pre-qualifying phase of the LPGA Q-Series. (Riley Gaines/X)
A female golfer who competed against Davidson, Olivia Schmidt made a plea for the LPGA to ban trans athletes like Davidson during an appearance at the Independent Women’s Forum in November.
“The bottom line is we can fight this all we want, but the real change comes from the LPGA. They are the only ones with the power to stop this. It’s up to them to protect us,” she said.
“I want my children to one day pursue their dreams and not let these distractions get in their way. I just pray that (the policy) is changed, and I pray that we can find a way to find something in common to take a step forward further and hopefully for the next generation of golfers.”
Now the LPGA has granted that wish for all its female competitors and fans.
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