Hailey Davidson was named the first alternate on Monday. She finished third in the U.S. Women’s Open, qualifying at Bradenton Country Club in Florida. The transgender female golfer trailed behind Amelie Zalsman and Pimpisa Sisutham in the qualifying rounds.
Davidson’s bid to qualify for the women’s major championship ignited a social media storm, attracting criticism from various quarters. This also included LPGA golfer Dana Fall.
Fall expressed her discontent through a post from the Independent Council on Women’s Sports. Tagging the United States Golf Association (USGA) and its CEO Michael Whan, Fall wrote: “I’m not sure what the The U.S. WOMENS Open is anymore because I don’t understand what a women (sic) is anymore”
The controversy extended beyond Fall’s remarks. Carilyn Johnson is a former competitor on the U.S. National 24 Hour running team, who also criticized the USGA.
Johnson tweeted, highlighting the ongoing debate on gender and competitive fairness in sports. She wrote: “@USGA saying ‘If men can’t win in the male category, we support them playing in the women’s category where they have a better shot, because men should never have to accept defeat. Ever”
The USGA which oversees the U.S. Women’s Open, has a detailed gender policy allowing golfers who transition from male to female to compete in women’s events under specific conditions.
These include:
“The player has declared that her gender identity is female. Such declaration cannot be changed, for sporting purposes, for a minimum of four (4) years.”
“The player must have undergone gender reassignment surgery (i.e., a gonadectomy) prior to the entry deadline for that specific Championship.”
“The player must 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, as determined by the USGA in consultation with its medical consultant(s).”
The 2024 U.S. Women’s Open is scheduled to take place at the Lancaster Country Club in Pennsylvania. Davidson’s inclusion as the first alternate brings attention to the evolving dynamics of gender identity in sports and the regulations that govern such participation.
Davidson has previously competed on the NXXT Women’s Pro Tour but stepped back when the tour updated its gender policy.
