Who Is Hailey Davidson? Exploring the Journey of the Popular Transgender Golfer With an ‘LPGA’ Dream

Playing on the highest professional circuit is any golfer’s dream. People turn to the PGA Tour when it comes to men, while for women, the LPGA Tour becomes their goal. Well, every now and then, a talented athlete pops up in the golfing world who goes on to make good all the while eyeing the circuit. Now, enter Hailey Davidson, the first transgender woman, to win a professional golf tournament in 2021 while setting her sights on the LPGA Tour.

The professional was able to pull off an amazing performance at the NXXT Women’s Classic in Florida causing many heads to turn to her in amazement. Even so, many who are witnessing her wreak havoc on the course would not know the true story of the struggle and determination behind the athlete. But nevertheless, it is something that should be heard by all in the sporting world!

Meet Hailey Davidson, the 30-year-old LPGA Tour aspirant

The athlete was born to Hamish and Sandra in Scotland as James Scott Davidson. Later on, the family moved to the U.S. on August 31, 1997. The golfer’s childhood was filled with struggle owing to her being born with clubfoot on both her feet. This led to her undergoing as many as 30 procedures while growing up, the last of which came at the age of 17. Nevertheless, her parents were very supportive of her playing the sport.

“An angry golfer,” says Davidson as she describes herself back when she was growing up while playing the game. Although she understood that something was different with her by the age of 10, she came face to face with reality along with the possibility of a ‘medical transition’ when she turned 18 years old.

When she came out and revealed the news to her parents about her transitioning, the athlete’s mother was supportive right from the start. Her father, however, took some time getting around to the news. Hamish mentioned how he shut his eyes to the whole situation during the first year, after which he had a talk with his 85-year-old father, which enabled a change in his heart. Now he is fully in support of the golfer’s decision.

Hamish has since then stood close by the professional and has even caddied for her during the Q-School, stage one of the LPGA qualifying event in 2021, at the Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage. Although she missed the cut and fell short, her journey wasn’t far from over.

Davidson’s transitioning journey

She started her hormone therapy on September 24, 2015. Six years later, in the month of January 2021, she underwent a six-hour procedure to reassign her gender. The surgery was one of the requirements put up by the LPGA’s Gender Policy, which had removed the provision of being a “female at birth” from its books back in 2010 owing to a vote by the players.

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The change took a lot out of the athlete. She lost 100 pounds for the surgery, all the while losing about 9 mph of clubhead speed, resulting in a shortage of 30 yards off the tee. Her strength advantage is something people assume she had as a transitioned athlete. Gone! Nevertheless, her hard work did pay off in the end, as she managed a win in the same year, followed by another one recently!

Davidson, the aspiring professional golfer

Back in 2021, she became the second transgender player to compete in the LPGA Q-School, following the likes of Bobbi Lancaster. Although she couldn’t manage to make the cut at the same time, the golfer was able to bag her first professional win on the National Women’s Golf Association circuit, popularly known as the NWGA Tour. Moreover, the pro was able to beat the likes of many, including Paula Creamer and Perrine Delacour.

Did she stop there? Not even close. In the NXXT Women’s Classic that took place at the Mission Inn Resort and Club, the 30-year-old managed to emerge victorious following two playoff holes that she was able to force despite being three shots back on the 16th.

After the first hole ended in a tie, she carded a birdie, clinching her first win in 2.5 years and propelling her to the top of the tour rankings. The good news? She is very much in contention for the top 5 spots, which would be awarded two exemptions each on the Epson Tour, better known as the qualifying circuit for the LPGA Tour.

She has truly set her eyes on the end goal and has been striving forward since then. Moreover, her struggle, despite the amount of hate she received over time, makes her nothing short of an inspiring person with an inspiring story. Many in the community would be hoping for Davidson to achieve her dream!

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