GONE FAR TOO SOON..! – RISING AUSTRALIAN GOLF STAR JESSICA BANG D:I-ED AFTER SUFFERING A BRAIN HAEMORRHAGE WHILE PREPARING FOR A TOURNAMENT IN THAILAND.
Australian golfer Jessica Bang dies after brain haemorrhage in Thailand, WPGA confirms
A rising Australian golf star has died after suffering a brain haemorrhage while preparing for a tournament in Bangkok.
Australian golfer Jessica Bang has died after suffering a brain haemorrhage while in Thailand to compete in a qualifying tournament, with the WPGA Tour of Australasia confirming the 18-year-old’s death.
Bang, a rising Australian professional golfer who won her first professional event in just her fifth start earlier this year, had been in Bangkok to compete in the KLPGA Tour’s International Qualifying Tournament when she suffered the medical emergency.
She collapsed on August 1 and was rushed to Synphat Ramintra Hospital in Bangkok, where she underwent emergency brain surgery.
A fundraising appeal launched by her cousins, Summer and Amelia, had said Bang was on life support in intensive care and that her family hoped to bring her home to Australia to be surrounded by loved ones as she recovered.
Jessica Bang died after suffering a brain haemorrhage while in Thailand for a golf tournament. Picture: Supplied
In a statement, the WPGA Tour of Australasia announced Bang had passed away.
“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,” the statement said.
Bang collapsed on August 1 and was taken to hospital in Bangkok for emergency brain surgery. Picture: Supplied
Before her death, Bang had been building a reputation as one of Australian golf’s brightest young prospects.
In February, she won the 2026 Ford Women’s NSW Open Regional Qualifying Event at Moss Vale, carding a final round of eight-under-par 65 to win by five shots and set a new course record.
She finished the tournament at 13-under-par after a standout final round featuring eight birdies and an eagle on the 15th.
“I’m so happy, I can’t even put it into words,” Bang told Golf NSW after the win.
More Coverage
“It still doesn’t feel real yet. I did not expect this at all — big surprise.”
Bang won the 2026 Ford Women’s NSW Open Regional Qualifying Event at Moss Vale in February. Picture: Supplied
Bang turned professional in November last year after a strong amateur career that included winning the Queensland Amateur title.
Her cousins had said she had recently qualified to begin her rookie season in the WPGA and KLPGA, already earning the nickname “Rookie Bang”.
