"R&A's latest gender guidelines in line with USGA and LPGA"
The R&A is joining other major golf organizations in implementing a "fair competition policy" for transgender athletes.
Last week, the LPGA and USGA announced eligibility requirements for transgender women, and the R&A followed suit on Thursday. According to a statement released by the organization, starting next year, individuals seeking to compete in "female professional and elite amateur championships organized by the R&A" must have been assigned female at birth or transitioned before the onset of male puberty in order to be eligible.
This rule from the R&A is in line with the policies of the LPGA and USGA, which also require transgender women who were assigned male at birth to have a limited concentration of testosterone in their serum.
It's important to note that this policy only applies to players in professional and elite amateur competitions, not recreational ones.
According to R&A CEO Martin Slumbers, the decision to update their entry conditions was made after carefully reviewing the best available medical and scientific advice. He stated, "We believe that golf should be open to all and are committed to developing the sport, but we also have a responsibility to ensure fairness in our elite competitions and allow all players to compete equally."
