Male golfer becomes alternate in U.S. Women’s Open Qualifier 

Transgender golfer Hailey Davidson nearly qualified for the U.S. Women’s Open on Monday, finishing in a three-way tie for third at the 36-hole qualifier held at Bradenton Country Club in Florida.  

Davidson missed qualifying by one stroke, but scored well enough to become the first alternate, according to Golf Digest.  

During the event, Davidson carded a 79 and 73 across the two rounds. The top two women finished with scores of 66-75 and 68-74, edging him out. 

His score tied two-time LPGA Tour winner Jasmine Suwannapura and Louis Olsson Campbell. Suwannapura is the second alternate.  

Davidson, who began a gender transition in 2015 and underwent gender reassignment surgery in 2021, is able to compete under the current gender policy of the United States Golf Association. 

The requirements for biological males competing in the women’s category includes:  

• 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; and  
• 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). 

Former collegiate athlete and women’s sports advocate Riley Gaines criticized the policy, which effectively takes a spot away from a “deserving” woman.  

“It’s looking promising that Hailey Davidson (male) will play in Women’s U.S. Open given he is the first alternate,” Gaines posted on X. “US Open is the biggest event in the LPGA & they’re willing to give a deserving women’s spot to a less than average man.”  

Davidson was a three-time winner on the NXXT Tour this year before the tour changed its policy to prevent biological males from competing in the women’s events.