R&A "Deeply Disturbed" After Transgender PGA Pro Abuse At The Open
The R&A has responded after PGA Pro Alison Perkins received abuse whilst working in the spectator village


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The R&A has responded after PGA Pro Alison Perkins received abuse whilst working in the spectator village
R&A "Deeply Disturbed" After Transgender PGA Pro Abuse At The Open
The R&A says it is "deeply disturbed" and "deplores any kind of discriminatory behaviour" after a transgender PGA pro was forced to leave The Open early.
PGA Pro Alison Perkins, who Golf Monthly recently caught up with, was working at The Open in the Swingzone coaching fans at Royal St George's.
However, she had to leave the tournament early after receiving abuse on-site.
Alison also cancelled an appearance on Sky Sports due to the abuse.
"Alison is a valued member of the PGA's Swingzone team and we are deeply disturbed to have learned of the incident earlier this week," an R&A Spokesperson said.
"We will be reaching out to Alison to offer our support and make it clear she is most welcome at The Open in the future.
"We strongly believe that golf should be open to all and deplore any kind of discriminatory behaviour. "
Alison recently became the first transgender pro to compete at Open qualifying before working at the tournament.
After leaving The Open, Alison tweeted: "Thinking hard about WHY and life, Humans can be so cruel :("
"I will hopefully come back stronger one day. It's a tough journey I am on, trying to take the positives from the week not the negatives," she wrote on social media.
"The sun has set early on my Open, I enjoyed my last day, walking round watching the golf and the PGA swing zone. Sad to leave early but was the right decision for me, reflecting at home."
Elliott Heath is our Senior Staff Writer and has been with Golf Monthly since early 2016. He graduated in Sports Journalism in 2016 and currently manages the Golf Monthly news, courses and travel sections as well as our large Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. Elliott has interviewed some huge names in the golf world including Sergio Garcia, Thomas Bjorn, Bernd Wiesberger and Scotty Cameron as well as a number of professionals on the DP World and PGA Tours. He has also covered the 2022 Masters from Augusta National as well as three Open Championships including at Carnoustie in 2018 when he was inside the ropes with Tiger Woods. He has played 31 of our Top 100 golf courses, with his favourites being both Sunningdales, Woodhall Spa, Old Head and Alwoodley. He currently plays at West Byfleet Golf Club in Surrey, where his handicap index floats anywhere between 4-6. His golfing highlight is making albatross on the 9th hole on the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa, and he has made one hole-in-one.
Elliott is currently playing:
Driver: Honma TR20
3 wood: TaylorMade SIM2 Max
2 iron: Mizuno MP-18 MMC Fli-Hi
Irons: Mizuno MP5 4-PW
Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore 50, 54, 58
Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG #5
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
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