The mum of a Scots transwoman who is competing in a women's professional golf tournament has hit out at Judy Murray after she criticised her daughter's place in the competition.
Hailey Davidson, from Stair in Ayrshire, became the first transgender woman to earn a Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) tour card and is currently taking part in the LPGA and Epson Tour Qualifying School in Palm Springs, America.
The decision to allow 29-year-old Hailey, who transitioned last year, to compete alongside her female competitors has sparked debate within the sports community online.
Tennis coach Judy Murray branded the decision to allow the trans athlete to compete as 'wrong' and unfair on the other competitors.
Sharing a tweet about the golfer, the tennis coach wrote: "No. Not fair at all.
"Protect women’s sport. Listen to the facts, the scientists and the medics. This is wrong."
Hailey's mum Sandra Davidson said Murray's comments were hurtful.
Sandra, who spoke to the Record from her home in Florida, where she lives with Hailey said: "Shame on Judy Murray for attacking another mother's child.
"You do not know my daughter Hailey and most importantly you know absolutely nothing about transgender men or women and therefore have no rights whatsoever to give your opinion on something you know nothing about.
"Unless you are a parent of a transgender child I suggest you keep your opinions to yourself.
"This woman does not know what she is talking about and should stick to commenting on tennis."
Sandra said her daughter had also received death threats since her presence in the competition hit headlines.
The sportswoman was given the green light to compete in National Women’s Golf Association events after the United States Golf Association and the Ladies Professional Golf Association changed eligibility rules to make it easier for trans athletes to compete.
Speaking last year, Hailey said she hoped that finally being accepted in the sport she loves six years after coming out as transgender would give people like her “a lot more hope”.
Hailey said she “finally felt whole” after undergoing gender reassignment surgery in January 2021 after being on hormone therapy since September 24, 2015 – a date that is tattooed on her right forearm.
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