Transgender golfer Hailey Davidson set to grow to be initial trans female to earn LPGA Tour card

Jenny Goldsberry

August 20, 12:48 PM August 20, 12:48 PM

A transgender golfer has almost satisfied the Women Specialist Golf Association's skills for its 2nd phase, likely starting to be the initial to receive an Epson Tour card.

Hailey Davidson, a organic male who identifies as a transgender woman, last competed in a qualifying university stage in 2015 ahead of transitioning into woman and scoring 70 in the initial round on Thursday and then a 76 during the 2nd spherical on Friday at the Shadow Ridge Golf Club in Palm Desert, California. Players who score under 88 in all 3 rounds will earn 2023 Epson Tour Position. Davidson is rated 127th between the over 300 other woman golfers immediately after taking part in competitively for around a 12 months.

The LPGA tour has acknowledged golfers who weren't assigned feminine at beginning since 2010, when it eliminated the requirement. Davidson began transitioning in 2021.

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Because the changeover, Davidson's swing is 15 mph slower, the golfer reported in a podcast job interview last month.

"Actually, what kills me the most is knowing that even if I am fortunate more than enough to advance to Phase 2, I won't be able to even pay for the entry rate to indicator up," Davidson wrote on an Instagram tale Friday. The golfer has a GoFundMe web site set up for the tour charges, which price $2,500 for Phase I and then $1,500 for Phase II. Davidson is asking for $3,000 but has only elevated $645.

"Regretably, experienced golfing is so extremely high-priced and devoid of the money, you can not contend at all," Davidson stated about the fundraiser. "Unlike a crew activity, there is no a person to choose up expenses other than myself so any aid is soo extremely appreciated to keep the begin of my hopeful occupation likely."

There have been similar complications in the 2021 event, exactly where Davidson did not qualify to perform. As a substitute, the majority of Davidson's time has been spent competing on the East Coast Women's Pro Golf Tour. Davidson won a few of the very last five matches ahead of the summer qualifiers and, at a single issue, scored 3 shots driving 2010 U.S. Women's Open up winner Paula Creamer.