Her view was challenged by an unlikely source: Renee Richards, the transgender tennis player who won the right to play in women’s events in the 1970s. In a telephone interview, Richards  who wearily noted she had spent more than 25 years fielding calls from reporters seeking comment on such cases  said she thought physically strong transgender women could have an advantage. Speaking of the Olympic committee, Richards said, “they’re going to get in trouble someday because somebody’s going to come along who’s strong in sprints or weight throwing or whatever and streak the field.”

However, Richards said that in individual cases, allowing a transgender athlete to play could be appropriate. Richards noted that she was 40 when she filed her suit, and said Lawless, at 57, probably fell into the same category.

“Maybe it’s O.K.,” she said. “Let her play and be done with the whole big argument about it. She’s not going to be on the tour.”

Although Lawless said she had played golf all her life  as an amateur, she played with a 1 handicap  she became interested in competing professionally after watching the women’s long-drive championship on ESPN in 2006. She placed third in 2007 and won the title in 2008. Sponsorships followed, including one with Bang Golf, which sells golf drivers. She said she lost the sponsorship after she was ruled ineligible to compete in the 2010 championship.

“It was devastating to me,” Lawless said of the rule change. “How can they say that rule was not changed specifically directed at me if you have a rule that allows me to play and you come back and you change it?”

Because Lawless has received prize money and sponsorship payments for playing golf, she said she was considered a professional and could not compete in amateur tournaments unless she applied to the U.S.G.A. for reinstatement, something she is not willing to do.