Several female golfers came forward to praise and celebrate the LPGA’s Wednesday rule change that prohibits post-pubescent males from playing against females in professional competition.
The organization said in a news release that male players who have passed puberty will be prohibited from competing on the LPGA Tour, Epson Tour, Ladies European Tour and all other elite LPGA tournaments. The new rules will take effect from the 2025 season.
“Athletes assigned male at birth and who have gone through male puberty are not eligible to compete in the aforementioned sports,” the organization said. “The LPGA’s recreational programs and policies governing non-elite events utilize different criteria to provide opportunities for participation in the broader LPGA community.”
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England’s Charlie Hull looks down at his tee shot on the first hole during the final round of the LPGA Annika Golf Tournament at Pelican Golf Club on Sunday, November 17, 2024 in Bellaire, Florida. (AP Photo/Steve Nessius)
The International Women’s Forum (IWF) issued a press release late Wednesday in which several female golfers spoke out in support of the ruling. These golfers include Lauren Miller, Hannah Arnold, Dana Fall, and Amy Olson.
Miller said she and her female colleagues in professional golf used the statement to say “no more” to the issue of competition with biological men.
“This announcement from the LPGA and USGA gives me hope for the future of women’s golf,” Miller said. “The women’s professional golf movement is essential and our voices have been heard. We stood up and said, ‘No more.’ By acknowledging the differences between men and women, golf’s leaders can We are united in our desire to advocate for girls.” By restoring spaces that prioritize fair competition, women are winning today. ”
Meanwhile, Olson argued that the biological differences between men and women should be recognized in sports.
“Recognizing that an individual’s chromosomes have an irreversible impact on physical development is a positive step forward,” Olson said.
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Amy Olson of the United States hits her tee shot on the 16th hole during the first round of the Simply Give Meyer LPGA Classic at Bricefield Country Club in Grand Rapids, Michigan on June 15, 2023. (Raj Mehta/Getty Images)
Fall said Wednesday’s announcement shows that “women matter” in sports.
“Today’s policy announcement is a huge victory for women and girls in the sport. The LPGA and USGA, the primary organizations that set the rules for women’s golf, are standing up for fairness and integrity in our sport. “The message sent to women today is that we matter and they are working to return equal opportunities to female athletes and protect fair sport,” Fall said. Ta.
Still, the announcement did not imply unanimous praise. Liberals and transgender rights activists have criticized the new rules.
Transgender golfer Haley Davidson voiced her opposition to the new rule, saying it would likely prevent her from competing on the LPGA in the future.
“I can’t say I didn’t see this coming. I’ve been kicked out of Epson and the LPGA,” Davidson wrote in a post on his Instagram Stories. “Thank you to all those who want to remain silent and ‘neutral’ for nothing at all. This happened because of your silence.
“And for some reason, people are surprised that the suicide rate for transgender people is about 50%. This very situation is part of the reason.”
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Transgender golfer Hayley Davidson takes care of her shots during the qualifying stage of the LPGA Q Series. (Riley Gaines/X)
Olivia Schmidt, a female golfer who played against Davidson, petitioned the LPGA to ban transgender players like Davidson from competing at the Independent Women’s Forum in November.
“The bottom line is we can fight as much as we want, but the real change will come from the LPGA. Only the LPGA can stop it. It’s up to them to protect us,” she said. .
“I want my kids to one day be able to pursue their dreams unencumbered by these distractions. I just pray that (the policy) changes, and that the common I hope we can find a way to find something like a dot.” With that in mind, hopefully for the next generation of golfers. ”
Now, the LPGA has granted that wish for all female competitors and fans.
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