WASHINGTON, D.C. – Independent Women’s Forum (IWF), the nation’s most impactful policy organization for women, applauds NXXT Golf’s commitment to preserving the integrity of women’s professional golf, ensuring that the rules reflect single-sex competition. NXXT Golf’s new policy will require all eligible players to be a biological female at birth, making it the second U.S. mini-tour to protect fair competition in women’s golf after the Arizona-based Cactus Tour announced its own female-at-birth requirement.
The monumental rule change, effective immediately, comes after professional golfer Lauren Miller shared her story with IWF about losing a first-place title at the 2024 NXXT Women’s Championship to Hailey Davidson, a male golfer identifying as a woman. This decision is also a testament to the surge of support nationwide for keeping women’s sports female.
“NXXT being the second women’s golf tour to reimplement a female-born requirement is incredible progress to prevent the replacement of hardworking female athletes. And the momentum has only begun! Golf leaders know this common-sense measure is the right one. NXXT and the Cactus Tour are showing real leadership to support women, which will inspire leadership across the country,” said IWF friend Amy Olson, 10-year Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) veteran.
“A strategic and great move on International Women’s Day. No more of this guy competing (and dominating) the NXXT tours. More of this. Women’s sports are only for women,” said Riley Gaines, an ambassador for Independent Women’s Forum.
“This is what standing up for women looks like. The women on the NXXT and Cactus tours are fortunate to have leaders who understand the unavoidable sex-based disadvantages for women competing against men in golf. Kudos to the women who have spoken out in protecting their biological existence and their livelihoods,” said May Mailman, director of Independent Women’s Law Center.
NXXT Golf’s decision reflects the key findings produced in IWF and Independent Women’s Law Center’s (IWLC) first-of-its kind report entitled, “Competition Report: Title IX, Male-Bodied Athletes, and the Threat To Women’s Sports,” to help athletic associations, policymakers, and courts understand the growing threat to women athletes. Findings in “Competition Report” prove that as more and more biological males enter women’s sports, the threat to female athletes is growing and that allowing males to play women’s sports is unfair because of the incontrovertible male athletic advantage. NXXT Golf’s rule change helps to ensure female golfers have access to fair competition and equal opportunities.
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Independent Women’s Forum is dedicated to developing and advancing policies that aren’t just well intended, but actually enhance people’s freedom, choices, and opportunities.