Transgender golfer wins on women’s tour

A transgender golfer has taken another step towards realising her dream of competing on the LPGA after winning a tournament on a satellite circuit.

Hailey Davidson carded a one-over 73 to win the NXXT Women’s Classic at the Mission Inn Resort and Club.

The event is part of the NXXT Golf circuit, a women’s professional golf tour in the US. Formerly the East Coast Women’s Pro Golf Tour, it has a partnership with the Epson Tour, the official feeder tour to the LPGA.

The top-five earners on the NXXT points list will earn exemptions into Epson Tour fields, subject to certain conditions.

Davidson currently leads the standings with 1,320 points, fully 150 points ahead of her nearest challenger, Maria Bohorquez.

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Originally from Scotland but now based in Florida, Davidson played on the men’s team at Wilmington University, before transferring to Christopher Newport University in Virginia.

In 2015, she started receiving hormone treatments and, in January 2021, underwent gender reassignment surgery.

Celebrating to her victory on Instagram, Davidson said: “Honestly this one came as a bit of a surprise to me.

“I had come so close lately with a playoff loss three starts ago to then finishing one back last week but this is why you never give up no matter where you think you are at in a tournament!

“It’s never over until that last putt goes in on 18 so push till the end!”

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Davidson’s victory divided opinion, with many social media users taking issue with the fact that somebody who was born a male is able to compete and win on a women’s golf tour.

The 30-year-old responded to those comments with a follow-up post.

“It’s always interesting how no one gets angry until there is any form of success,” she wrote. “While this win was amazing, I am so incredibly far from the LPGA Tour with a lot of work to be done to possibly earn my way there one day.

“I will never allow hate to win, especially when based in some misinformation.”

Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor