The United States Golf Association (USGA) has decided to protect women's rights and promote women's sports by banning transgenders from joining its events. However, some transgender players want to challenge it in court claiming that a policy change is unlawful.
Golfer Hailey Davidson, 33, filed the suit against the USGA, the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) and Hackensack Golf Club, where the event was scheduled to take place, in New Jersey last 19 March, according to ESPN and Fox Sports.
Davidson did not transition to female until after puberty, per ESPN, and she competed in several events prior to the 2024 policy change.
The suit additionally claims that Hackensack Golf Club violated the law by deferring to the USGA’s decision and barring her from competing at their club, per ESPN.
In a statement to PEOPLE, an LPGA spokesperson said that the organization is aware of the recent lawsuit and will "let that process play out on the proper forum."
"The LPGA's gender policy was developed through a thoughtful, expert-informed process and is grounded in protecting the competitive integrity of elite women's golf," the spokesperson said.
The USGA and Hackensack Golf Club did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.