The 79th annual U.S. Women’s Open Championship is set to take place later this month, which means that qualifying events are starting for golfers who want to earn a spot in the event. And one golfer in particular, a transgender golfer named Hailey Davidson, tried their hand at a qualifying event in Florida recently.
Davidson, who was recently banned from the NXXT Women’s Golf Tour back in March, participated in the 36-hole U.S. Open qualifier at Bradenton Country Club on Monday.
Only the top two competitors at the qualifier end up earning a spot in the upcoming U.S. Open, with the rest becoming alternatives for the field depending on what position they end up finishing in.
Davidson finished the event at one-over par, which was good for third place in the qualifier. This means that she will be the first alternative for the U.S. Open if any player happens to have to miss the event for any reason.
Chances are, this means that Davidson will not be able to take part in the upcoming U.S. Open. But there is at least a chance that another player happens to miss the event, which would give Davidson a spot in the prestigious event.
Before being banned from the NXXT Tour, Davidson was a three-time winner on the tour, ranking second on the tour’s season standings at the time of her ban back in March.
Davidson’s history of golf dates back further than her transgender transition, previously receiving a scholarship to play on the men’s team at Wilmington.
