The European Tour, the LPGA and the Ladies European Tour have all supported the new regulation.

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In a statement, the Ladies European Tour praised Matthew's efforts on the circuit, and congratulated her appointment.

BBC: Scots golfer Matthew lands honour

The four-time Solheim Cup player was also named Ladies European Tour Players' Player of the Year in December.

BBC: Scots golfer Matthew lands honour

This season, she finished second on the Ladies European Tour's Henderson Money List and was 26th on the American money list after only 10 starts on the LPGA Tour.

BBC: Scots golfer Matthew lands honour

At Machynys, Australia's Joanne Mills fought through strong winds and drizzling rain to capture her second Ladies European Tour title finish on a total of six-under-par, one stroke ahead of Germany's Bettina Hauert and England's Georgina Simpson.

BBC: Becky Brewerton has qualified for the Solheim Cup team

This is new relatively new ground in professional sports, although many sporting groups, including the International Olympic Committee, the Ladies Golf Union in Britain, the Ladies European Golf Tour and the United States Golf Association do allow transgender athletes to compete.

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Kim has won three times on the LPGA Tour, and once on the European Ladies' circuit, but is cautious about her chances of ending her title drought.

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