Tragedy has struck the golf community after family announced that rising star Jessica Bang has died at the age of 18.
Bang had been in Thailand preparing for the KLPGA Tour’s International Qualifying Tournament when she collapsed after suffering a brain hemorrhage on Aug. 1.
She underwent emergency brain surgery at Synphat Ramintra Hospital in Bangkok and was placed on life support, according to a GoFundMe page started by her cousins.
Unfortunately, Bang did not recover and died Thursday morning, according to an update on the page.
“We are truly heartbroken by this news. However, we would like to continue to remember Jessica and celebrate her achievements, passion, and dedication to golf,” Bang’s cousins wrote in the update.
“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.”
They added that the funds raised by the GoFundMe, which had exceeded $50,000 as of noon Friday, will be given to her parents to help cover Bang’s medical expenses.
Social media tributes
Bang’s death brought a wave of tributes and condolences on social media.
“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 organization said in a statement posted on Instagram.
“Truly heartbreaking and difficult to comprehend. She was such a talented young golfer with so much promise and a bright future ahead of her,” wrote Tirzah Cho, a fellow Australian teen golfer.
What were Bang’s career accomplishments?
Bang had been set to begin her rookie season on the WPGA/KLPGA Tours after qualifying earlier this year. She reportedly turned pro in 2025.
In just her fifth career start, she won the Ford Women’s NSW Regional Qualifying tournament at Moss Vale in Australia this past February.
“I’m so happy, I can’t even put it into words,” she said after the win, per thesoutherwire.com. “It still doesn’t feel real yet. I did not expect this at all — big surprise.”