Teenage golfer Jessica Bang has died at the age of 18 after suffering a brain hemorrhage while preparing for an international tournament in Bangkok. The WPGA Tour of Australasia announced her passing on Thursday evening, stating that Bang was unable to recover from the condition.
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Bang, who turned professional in November, made a significant impact on the golfing scene earlier this year by winning the 2026 Ford Women's NSW Open Regional Qualifying in only her fifth professional start. She set a new course record during that victory, shooting an 8-under-par 65 in the final round, with her mother serving as her caddie.
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She was rushed to Synphat Ramintra Hospital in Bangkok and underwent emergency brain surgery. Her family had been fundraising through a GoFundMe campaign for hospital bills and a potential medical evacuation back to Australia, which had raised over $30,000.
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Born in South Korea, Bang became an Australian citizen upon turning 18. Her uncle, Jacob Kang, noted that her chosen Australian citizenship complicated her residency and travel insurance status. Bang had been splitting her time between South Korea and Sydney and had recently qualified to begin her rookie seasons on both the Australian and Korean ladies golf association tours. Golf NSW had previously described her as "something special."