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Bang dies in Bangkok
Australian rookie professional golfer Jessica Bang died at 18 after suffering a brain haemorrhage while preparing for a tournament in Thailand, collapsing on August 1 in Bangkok.
“Bang collapsed on August 1 while visiting Bangkok, Thailand”
Bang was rushed to Synphaet Ramintra Hospital in Bangkok for emergency brain surgery, and after nearly two weeks in intensive care she died on Thursday, August 13.
A GoFundMe set up by Bang’s cousins said she passed away at 7.20 am local time on August 13, and the campaign described the funds as going to her parents to help contribute towards her medical expenses.
The WPGA Tour of Australasia and Golf Australia described Bang as an "outstanding young talent" in a joint statement after her death.
Bang had earned her place on the WPGA Tour through Qualifying School at the end of 2025 and won the Ford Women’s NSW Open Regional Qualifying Event at Moss Vale in February in just her fifth professional start.
Tributes and the GoFundMe
The WPGA Tour of Australasia said in a statement, "The Australian golf community is deeply saddened by the passing of young tour member Jessica Bang in Thailand," after her death.
The Independent also carried the tour’s condolences, including the line, "The thoughts and prayers of everyone at the WPGA Tour of Australasia and the broader Australian golf community are with Jessica’s family," as her family posted updates on the GoFundMe page.
Bang’s cousins wrote on the fundraiser that, "Sadly, Jessica passed away this morning, August 13, at Synphaet Ramintra Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand, 7.20 am local time," and they said the funds raised would be given to her parents.
The Daily Mirror reported the GoFundMe had raised nearly 50,000 Australian dollars (£26,000), while the New York Post said the page had raised nearly $36,000 AUD at the time of writing.
Sky Sports reported that Bang died after two weeks in intensive care, and it reiterated that she had collapsed while preparing for a tournament in Thailand.
Career milestones and next
Bang’s rise included winning the Ford Women’s NSW Open Regional Qualifying Event at Moss Vale in February, where she shot a course-record eight-under-par 65 in the final round and won by five strokes.
“winning the Ford Women’s NSW Open Regional Qualifying Event at Moss Vale in February”
The Daily Mirror quoted Bang after that victory saying, "I'm so happy, I can't even put it into words," and it added that it still "doesn't feel real yet" for her.
The Straits Times said Bang was in Bangkok to play in the International Qualifying Tournament for the South Korean women’s professional tour, and it reported she died on Aug 13 after collapsing on Aug 1.
The fundraising campaign’s stated purpose was to cover medical expenses and organise her return to her family at home, with the Daily Mirror saying the funds would be given to her parents to help contribute towards her medical expenses.
With Bang’s death confirmed by her family and tour officials, the WPGA Tour of Australasia’s statement remained central to the response, describing her as an "outstanding young talent" and extending condolences to her family, friends and all those who knew and loved her.
