Australian teen golfing prodigy dies after brain haemorrhage
Updated . First published
An 18-year-old Australian golfer has died after suffering a brain haemorrhage while preparing for a competition in Thailand.
Jessica Bang collapsed suddenly on August 1 and was taken to Synphat Ramintra Hospital in Bangkok, where she underwent emergency surgery for a brain bleed.
Jessica Bang. Supplied.
Bang was then treated in the ICU under the supervision of medical professionals.
But in a tragic turn of events, the WPGA Tour of Australasia confirmed Bang had died on Thursday.
“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 tour said in a statement.
Before her death, Bang’s cousins Summer and Amelia started a GoFundMe in the hope of transporting her home to Australia via a plane built with ICU equipment.
Bang’s uncle, Jacob Kang, shared the fundraising link on his social media pages and noted the teen’s Australian citizenship had complicated her return.
“She travelled to Thailand recently to compete in a golf tournament and, tragically, suffered a severe brain haemorrhage,” he wrote in a post on Facebook.
“When she turned 18, she chose Australian citizenship, which unfortunately made her Korean residency / status and travel insurance situation quite complicated.
“As a result, her medical treatment and related expenses are becoming a huge financial burden for the family.”
Before suffering the brain injury, Bang was touted as one of Australia’s brightest young golfing prospects.
In February, she won the Ford Women’s NSW Open regional qualifying event, where she set a new course record with an 8-under par 65. That victory marked just her fifth start on the professional circuit.
She told Golf NSW that it was “a big surprise” to secure such a result. Bang turned professional in November 2025 following an impressive stint as an amateur. She had recently qualified to start competing in the WPGA/KLPGA tours.