Australian golfer Jessica Bang, 18, dies after brain haemorrhage in Thailand
Jessica Bang, an 18-year-old Australian golfer described by the WPGA as an outstanding young talent, died on Thursday in Bangkok after a brain haemorrhage suffered on 1 August.
Rising star of Australian golf
Jessica Bang, an 18-year-old Australian golfer described by the WPGA Tour of Australasia as an "outstanding young talent," died on Thursday, 13 August, after suffering a brain haemorrhage. The WPGA confirmed her death in a statement published on Friday, 14 August. Bang had been in intensive care at a hospital in Bangkok for nearly two weeks since collapsing on 1 August while preparing for a tournament in Thailand. The Associated Press first reported the circumstances of her collapse and subsequent hospitalisation, and the WPGA Tour of Australasia shared the news across its social media channels.
A brief but promising career
Bang turned professional at the end of 2025, having won the Queensland Amateur that same year. Her transition to the professional ranks showed immediate promise. In February 2026, in just her fifth professional start, she won a qualifying tournament in New South Wales. She shot a final-round 65 at that regional qualifying event, a score that earned her a place at the NWS Women's Open on the Ladies European Tour. At the NWS Women's Open, however, she missed the cut. Despite that setback, she had recently qualified to begin her rookie season on the WPGA Tour of Australasia, the tour confirmed. She had been playing on the Australian professional golf tour since the end of 2025, and her first professional victory, coming in only her fifth tournament, reinforced her status as a rising star of Australian golf.
Collapse and hospitalisation in Thailand
Bang was in Thailand preparing for a competition when she collapsed on 1 August. She was rushed to a hospital in Bangkok, where she underwent emergency brain surgery. She spent nearly two weeks in intensive care before dying on Thursday, 13 August.
- Won the Queensland Amateur
- Turned professional and joined the WPGA Tour of Australasia
- Won a NSW qualifying event in her fifth professional start, shooting a final-round 65
- Collapsed while preparing for a tournament in Thailand, rushed to Bangkok hospital
- Died in Bangkok after nearly two weeks in intensive care following emergency brain surgery
After her collapse, Bang's cousins set up a GoFundMe page to help cover the costs of her treatment. Family members wrote on the page that they were truly heartbroken by the news. They added that the funds raised would be given to her parents to help contribute towards her medical expenses.
Tributes from the golf community
The WPGA Tour of Australasia released a statement mourning Bang's death, noting that the broader Australian golf community was deeply saddened by the loss of a young member of the circuit who died in Thailand.
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 association also paid tribute to Bang's character and talent in a separate passage of its statement.
Jessica was an exceptional young talent who left a mark on people's minds during her short presence on the circuit.
Bang had been a member of the WPGA Tour of Australasia since turning professional at the end of 2025. Her death at 18 cut short a career that had begun with a Queensland Amateur title and a first professional win within months of joining the tour.
