Jessica Bang, an 18-year-old Australian golfer, has died after suffering a brain haemorrhage. She collapsed on August 1 in Bangkok, Thailand, ahead of competing in the KLPGA Tour's International Qualifying Tournament. She was taken to hospital for emergency brain surgery and spent nearly two weeks in intensive care before dying on Thursday, August 13.
Tributes from Golf Australia and WPGA Tour
In a joint statement, Golf Australia and the WPGA Tour of Australasia described Bang as an "outstanding young talent". The statement said: "The WPGA Tour of Australasia and the broader Australian golf community is deeply saddened by the passing of young Tour member Jessica Bang in Thailand. Jessica was an outstanding young talent who made a significant impression in her short time on the Tour, winning the Ford Women's NSW Open Regional Qualifying Event at Moss Vale in February in just her fifth professional start."
It added: "She had earned her place on the WPGA Tour through Qualifying School at the end of 2025, following an outstanding amateur career. The thoughts and prayers of everyone at the WPGA Tour of Australasia and the broader Australian golf community are with Jessica's family, friends and all those who knew and loved her at this incredibly difficult time."
GoFundMe campaign and family statement
A GoFundMe page was set up by Bang's cousins to help with medical expenses and arrange her repatriation. It has raised nearly 50,000 Australian dollars (£26,000). An update posted by her cousins read: "We would like to thank everyone for your overwhelming support and well-wishes. Sadly, Jessica passed away this morning, August 13, at Synphaet Ramintra Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand, 7.20 am local time."
The update continued: "As her cousins, we will forever cherish the time and memories we shared with Jessica. Her sense of humour, together with her cheerful and vibrant personality, will always be remembered and treasured by our family. The funds we have raised will be given to her parents to help contribute towards her medical expenses. Once again, we would like to express our deepest gratitude to everyone who has supported Jessica and our family through this incredibly difficult time."
Career highlights
Bang was based in Korea with family in Sydney and earned her place on the Women's PGA Tour of Australasia after winning the Queensland Amateur the previous year. Speaking after that victory, she said: "I'm so happy, I can't even put it into words. It still doesn't feel real yet. I did not expect this at all - big surprise."
