Abigail Wilson, a rising name in women’s disc golf, made headlines on Friday after walking off the course in protest during the MVP Music City Open in Nashville.
With cameras rolling and the crowd watching, Wilson stepped up to the tee, faked a throw, and then turned to make a statement that immediately sparked a national conversation.
“Females must be protected in our division! This is unfair. I refuse to play!” she shouted before picking up her bag and leaving the course. The moment, captured on video and shared later on her Instagram, instantly went viral. Wilson explained that her decision stemmed from concerns over fairness in women’s sports, specifically referring to the inclusion of openly transgender athlete Natalie Ryan in the competition.
Protest, Safety Concerns, And Career Implications
Wilson’s protest comes just days after a similar act by fencer Stephanie Turner, who also declined to compete against a transgender opponent. Wilson explained on Instagram that safety concerns also drove her decision. She cited past protests and threats at events involving Ryan. She asked the Disc Golf Pro Tour to change her tee time, but they refused.
“I took this stand today because I was having anxiety about playing with the openly trans player… There were threats of violence at the event last year,” she wrote. “Today I most likely ended my career and that is okay because this is bigger than me.”
NEW: Female disc golfer Abigail Wilson storms off, refuses to compete against a transgender opponent.
Good for her.
Wilson took a stand for Women’s sports and was heard lashing out to the crowd as she walked away.
“Females must be protected in our division. This is unfair. I… pic.twitter.com/kYZA6q7s6R
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) April 6, 2025
The DGPT responded with a statement acknowledging Wilson’s right to protest. “No rules or policies were violated,” it said. The organization disputed her claims about lacking security. They stated that off-duty police officers and extra staff were on-site. They also informed Wilson of the security plan in advance.
Trans athlete Natalie Ryan, who has been open about her transition and medical history, was returning to competition after undergoing surgery. Ryan first gained attention in 2022 after winning a women’s division event and remains one of the top-ranked female-classified players.
The PDGA allows transgender women to compete in women’s divisions if they meet specific hormone therapy and testosterone-level criteria. Abigail Wilson’s walkout adds to an intensifying debate over inclusion, fairness, and safety in women’s sports, a conversation that’s not slowing down anytime soon.
