Hailey Davidson, the recent winner of the NXXT Women’s Classic, a women’s professional golf mini-tour event, has become the target of hateful messages and scrutiny for competing as a transgender woman. The NXXT Women’s Pro Tour, in response to public concerns, has requested Davidson to undergo testosterone testing to ensure compliance with guidelines and address the controversy surrounding her participation.
Davidson secured victory at the NXXT Women’s Classic on Jan. 17 at the Mission Inn Resort and Club in Florida. Despite expressing surprise at her win, Davidson faced a barrage of death threats and hateful messages, leading her to delete her X account.
In an Instagram post, Davidson addressed the situation, stating, “It’s always interesting how no one gets angry until there is any form of success.” She emphasized her determination not to let hate prevail, especially when fueled by misinformation.
The NXXT Women’s Pro Tour, responding to the public outcry, issued a statement on Monday morning. The tour acknowledged the “public concerns” surrounding Davidson’s participation and pledged to gather opinions from players on its gender policy. Additionally, the tour requested Davidson to undergo testosterone testing to ensure compliance with the appropriate guidelines.
Davidson, despite the controversy, expressed that she is not overly concerned about her standing on the NXXT. She willingly took the testosterone test and remains steadfast in facing the challenges, stating, “At this point, we’re trying anything to see if we can cool the fire down a little.”
While Davidson’s recent win garnered attention and coverage, she clarified that she is still “incredibly far” from the LPGA Tour. Despite conservative outlets highlighting her victory, Davidson acknowledged the need for substantial work to potentially earn a place on the LPGA Tour in the future.
The NXXT, previously known as the East Coast Women’s Pro Golf Tour, has formed a new partnership with the Epson Tour this season, serving as the developmental feeder tour for the LPGA. The top five earners on the NXXT points list will receive exemptions into Epson Tour fields.
However, for Davidson to secure these exemptions, NXXT’s fields must grow considerably by March to meet the minimum requirement for Epson. Even with the exemptions, Davidson would need to win an Epson Tour event to attain status on that tour, with a top-10 finish securing a spot in the subsequent week’s Epson field.
The Epson Tour functions as the official qualifying tour for the LPGA, and players accrue points to determine eligibility for an LPGA tour card in 2025.
Addressing the controversy, the NXXT stated that its policies on gender align with those of the LPGA and USGA. Davidson complied with these policies upon joining the tour, providing necessary documentation and validation from the LPGA and USGA. The organization highlighted that Davidson’s participation in the 2022 Q-School was facilitated under these policies.
The LPGA’s gender policy, applicable to membership applicants in various tours, requires individuals to identify as “transitioned female athletes.” To be eligible, athletes must provide a written declaration of their gender identity, undergo gender-affirming surgery, and receive hormone therapy for a minimum of one year while maintaining testosterone levels sufficient to minimize gender-related advantages in competitions.
Hailey Davidson, a trailblazer as the second transgender player to compete in LPGA Q-School, has faced adversity throughout her journey. Despite the recent controversy, Davidson remains resilient, emphasizing the importance of staying true to oneself and facing challenges head-on.
In conclusion, the controversy surrounding Hailey Davidson highlights the ongoing discussions and challenges faced by transgender athletes in professional sports. The NXXT Women’s Pro Tour’s decision to request testosterone testing reflects the complexities and evolving nature of gender policies in sports, emphasizing the need for continued dialogue and understanding in the athletic community. Davidson’s perseverance serves as a testament to her commitment to the sport and her identity as she navigates the path toward potential inclusion in higher-tier golf competitions.