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Hailey Davidson slams 'transphobic' critics as she becomes first trans woman to join LPGA

'I've seen that it's not about protecting women's sports or me having an advantage, it's just that you don't like trans people,' said Davidson

PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA: Golfer Hailey Davidson is putting all of her efforts towards becoming the first transgender woman to receive a Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) tour card after clearing two rounds in the first stage of 2022 LPGA and Epson Tour Qualifying School. The Scotland-born golfer, who now lives in Florida, reportedly hit a 70 at the Shadow Ridge Golf Club in Palm Desert California, on Thursday, August 18, and then on Friday, shot a 76.

Fox News reported that the rule for the LPGA tour states that “any player with a score of 88 or higher in any of the first three rounds will automatically be dropped from the qualifiers and ineligible to receive Tour status for 2023.” The participants who get scores below 88 on all three stages "will earn 2023 Epson Tour Status”. The top 100 will then get a chance to compete in Stage II starting October 18 before the final stage that will take place during the initial weeks of December.

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As per reports, Davidson is on 59th position currently and will easily enter Stage II in October. The 29-year-old’s participation comes because of LPGA Tour’s change in policies that happened in 2010, ending the “female at birth” eligibility criteria. However, Davidson believes that there is a lot to be done. Speaking on the ‘Like It Is podcast’, she said: “I've seen that it's not about protecting women's sports or me having an advantage, it's just that you don't like trans people. It's very sad that that's what it comes down to. In the last couple of months, that's what I've come to learn.”

Earlier, in June, she had asserted that “I know what I can do within professional sports can hopefully knock some sense into people to stop hurting these kids. My making money on a golf course is great and all, but what is really important are the lives of people being affected by this. I’m going to find a way to make sure that every single one of those laws are gone before I leave this earth.”

Davidson had previously played as a man in 2015 but after that she started her  hormone therapy treatments before undergoing gender reassignment surgery last year. In 2021, she stated: “I know I have what it takes from being around professional golfers on the LPGA/PGA/Champions Tour over the recent years and staying very competitive with them all. While I know that I have the talent and mental game to make a career out of playing, the initial cost of tournaments and practice expenses is what truly holds me back.”

Meanwhile, not a lot of people seemed to agree with Davidosn participating in women’s golf. A person wrote: “Isn't there an LGBTLPGA he can play with? If not, surely there's a couple of billion in Biden's Build Back Woker inflation/deception bill for it.” The second one tweeted, “That is so messed up.” “Great. A real woman should never win a sporting contest again,” the third one said and the fourth one added: “When do we put an end to this silliness?”