Olympic gold medalist implores Hailey Davidson to WD from women's golf events

Caitlyn Jenner has called for Hailey Davidson to immediately withdraw from women's golf events. 

Scots-born Davidson, 30, hit the headlines last week after claiming victory on the NXXT Women's Pro Tour. 

Her victory was seen by some as controversial given she is transgender and is now in a position to earn an LPGA Tour card. 

For her part Davidson has claimed that she did in fact have an unfair advantage when she first began competing in women's golf events years ago. 

But as she has transitioned that advantage has diminished, she said. "I've lost just over 50 miles an hour swing speed," Davidson told Sky News. 

Davidson said there is only a fuss made when she is successful. 

"Trans athletes shouldn't be banned," she added. "But at the same time, there needs to be regulations in place because it shouldn't just be a free for all."

In light of her victory, the NXXT Women's Pro Tour said the circuit would launch a survey of its members asking for opinion on gender policy. 

The Women's Pro Tour say its current guidelines have been formulated in alignment with the LPGA and USGA. 

Those guidelines stipulate players should have declared their gender as female, have undergone gender reassignment surgery and must have undergone hormonal therapy and maintained testosterone levels appropriate for the assigned sex.

Jenner, who won the Olympic gold in the decathlon in 1976, sees it differently. 

Writing for the Daily Mail, Jenner said: "Hailey Davidson must recognise that golf is a game of integrity and withdraw from female competition.

"Then the Ladies Professional Golf Association should follow suit, seize this chance to reverse their grave mistake and restore the spirit of one of the longest-running women's professional sports associations in the world."

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Jenner added: "Today, far too many are afraid to speak out at all for fear of cancellation or retaliation.

"Well, I am not afraid – and my perspective, humbly, can cut through so much noise.

"When I competed in the Olympics, my competition was all I thought about.

"I deeply respected and, of course, devoted every fiber of my being to defeating them on a level playing field.

"But, respectfully, Davidson (who asks to be addressed with they/them pronouns) cannot claim to compete with that same esprit de corps.

"Davidson was a mediocre male golfer, who never had a real chance at making it in the PGA.

"But now Davidson is in the running for one of the most highly coveted spots in women's sports.

"How is that fair to women?"

Next page: LPGA Tour gets big financial boost for 2024 schedule