Transgender women who have gone through male puberty will not be allowed to compete on any of the leading women’s professional golf tours from next year.
The updated rules on gender policy will apply to the LPGA Tour, the Epson Tour, the Ladies European Tour, and for all other elite LPGA events, including the US Women’s Open.
Previously, the LPGA allowed players to compete if they had undergone gender-affirming surgery after puberty and met hormone therapy requirements. But these rules have now been changed.
“The LPGA has updated its gender policy for competition eligibility, effective starting with the 2025 season,” the LPGA said in a statement. “The policy – informed by a working group of top experts in medicine, science, sport physiology, golf performance and gender policy law – was developed with input from a broad array of stakeholders and prioritises the competitive integrity of women’s professional tournaments and elite amateur competitions.
“This working group has advised that the effects of male puberty confer competitive advantages in golf performance compared to players who have not undergone male puberty.”
The statement added that players recorded as male at birth and who have gone through male puberty “are not eligible to compete in the aforementioned events”.
Announcing the changed rule for 2025, Mollie Marcoux Samaan, the commissioner of the LPGA, said: “Our policy is reflective of an extensive, science-based and inclusive approach. The policy represents our continued commitment to ensuring that all feel welcome within our organisation, while preserving the fairness and competitive equity of our elite competitions.”
In updating its policy, the LPGA follows other governing bodies from sports including swimming and athletics in banning transgender women from competing in the female category at elite level if they have gone through male puberty.