Bagger wants to become a professional

Bagger, who had a sex change operation in 1995, will take part in this week's Australian Women's Open in Sydney, her first professional tournament.

The 37-year-old, who moved to Australia from Denmark in 1979, claims she has less power than her female rivals.

"I'm just hitting 200m drives and they are hitting it past me," she said.

"I'm trying my best out there and people are surprised that I'm not hitting it further."

Bagger said the combined result of hormone therapy and surgery means she produces less testosterone than the average woman.

"People aren't aware of what's involved with transsexualism, people aren't aware that there are certain physiological changes you go through with hormone replacement therapy," she said.

"We lose an amount of muscle mass and overall strength as a result. After surgery those effects are permanent and irreversible."

Bagger, who will be appearing in her first professional tournament after being invited to play by Women's Golf Australia, wants to become a professional.

"I want to play professional golf and have the same opportunities as other women," said Bagger.

"It's my dream to play top-level golf."

Women's Golf Australia changed its regulations to allow transsexual players to compete provided they have completed sex-change surgery and have proof of "post-gender reassignment".