On Sept. 24, 2015 – a date that’s tattooed on her right forearm – Davidson began undergoing hormone treatments and in January 2021, underwent gender reassignment surgery, a six-hour procedure that’s required under the LPGA’s Gender Policy.

Transgender golfer Hailey Davidson teed off for the second stage of qualifying for an LPGA Tour card despite a group of 275 female golfers signing a letter opposing gender policy.

VENICE, Fla. (AP) -- Transgender golfer Hailey Davidson began the second stage of LPGA qualifying Tuesday with a 78 as reports surfaced of 275 female players signing a letter asking top golf organizations to repeal policies that allow people assigned male at birth to compete in women's events.

Hailey Davidson is one of the first openly transgender women to compete in high-level women's golf tournaments in the U.S.

The Ladies Professional Golf Association is facing growing pressure to revise its transgender policy as a former men’s collegiate golfer moves closer to becoming the first male-born player to qualify for the most prestigious tour in women’s golf.

Transgender golfer Hailey Davidson competes in LPGA Q-school amid debate over policy allowing transgender athletes. 275 female players signed a letter to LPGA urging policy reversal, while Davidson maintains LPGA regulations are effective.

Wilson turned professional last month at the LPGA’s Kroger Queen City Championship. The 2022 U.S. Girls’ Junior champion opted to forgo college golf at Oregon to join the play-for-pay ranks. Wilson won the 2023 AJGA Rolex Junior Player of the Year.

Hailey Davidson began the second stage of LPGA qualifying Tuesday as reports surfaced of 275 female players signing a letter opposing policies that allow people assigned male at birth to compete in women's events.