Transgender golfer Hailey Davidson, 30, hints her friends have shunned her after she was BANNED from female golf tournament over fairness concerns
- Hailey Davidson, 30, shared an Instagram post condemning those close to her after she was banned from a women’s golf tournament
- The NXXT changed their eligibility criteria to only allow biological female players to compete after Davidson sparked backlash for winning the circuit
- Davidson, born in Scotland but now living in Florida, won the tour in January
Transgender golfer Hailey Davidson has hit back at her friends who she says shunned her after being banned from a women’s professional golf tour.
Davidson, 30, who was born in Scotland but now lives in Florida, won the tour, known as the NXXT Golf, in January.
On Friday, NXXT changed its eligibility criteria to allow biological female players to compete after Davidson sparked backlash for winning the circuit.
The NXXT had initially stuck to its policy of allowing trans women to participate in the competition alongside those born female, but reversed course along the way.
In a post to her Instagram early Saturday, Davidson said, “You really learn the true colors of people in times like these.
“There are so many people who turn away when you actually need it most.”
Transgender golfer Hailey Davidson will not be allowed to participate in the NXXT Golf Tour
Davidson shared an Instagram post condemning those close to her after she was banned from the tournament
The tour announced on International Women’s Day that it had reversed its gender policy and that, effective immediately, participants must be biologically female at birth to participate.
A statement from the tour said the decision was made in an effort to underscore the organization’s “commitment to preserving the integrity of women’s professional golf and ensuring fair competition.”
“As we navigate the evolving sports landscape, it is critical to uphold the competitive integrity that is the cornerstone of women’s sports,” said Stuart McKinnon, CEO of NXXT.
“Our revised policy reflects our continued commitment to celebrating and protecting the achievements and opportunities of female athletes. Protected categories are a fundamental aspect of sport at all levels, and it is essential for our Tour to uphold these categories for biological women to level the playing field.”
“NXXT Golf is honored to lead the way in promoting and advancing women’s golf, providing a platform that not only highlights the exceptional talent of female golfers worldwide, but also ensures that competition remains fair for all our players.” , he added.
Davidson had last competed in the NXXT last week at the Royal St. Cloud Women’s Championship, where she finished tied for 24th with a score of 10 over par.
After one win and two second places in nine events this year, Davidson currently sits second in the Road to the Epson Tour standings.
Davidson is seen in 2015, prior to the transition
Davidson had last competed in the NXXT last week at the Royal St. Cloud Women’s Championship, where she finished tied for 24th with a score of 10 over par
In a post after the ruling was handed down, Davidson posted on social media the following statement: “Effective immediately, I have been removed (banned) from the following three NXXT tournaments that I have already registered for and have been cleared to play .
‘They changed their policy mid-season, after I had already signed up and finished 2nd in the Player of the Year race.’
She added: ‘This is a slap in the face to all female athletes who are told that any man can step up and beat them, regardless of the hard work these women have put in.
“You think you’re attacking me, but you’re actually attacking and tearing down all the other female athletes.”
Davidson last competed as a male golfer in 2015, before beginning hormone therapy treatments and undergoing gender reassignment surgery in 2021.