Australian golf prodigy Jessica Bang died at the age of 18 following a brain hemorrhage. The WPGA Tour of Australasia confirmed her death, expressing condolences to her family and friends.
Bang collapsed on August 1 while preparing for the KLPGA Tour's International Qualifying Tournament in Bangkok, Thailand. She underwent emergency brain surgery at Synphat Ramintra Hospital and was subsequently placed on life support. Her cousins established a GoFundMe campaign to help with medical expenses and to facilitate her return to Australia.
According to an update on the GoFundMe page, Bang passed away at 7:20 a.m. local time on Thursday. The campaign had raised nearly $36,000 AUD at the time of reporting.
"We are truly heartbroken by this news," her cousins wrote on the fundraising page. "However, we would like to continue to remember Jessica and celebrate her achievements, passion, and dedication to golf."
Bang had recently qualified to begin her rookie season with the WPGA/KLPGA and reportedly began her professional career last year. In February, she secured a victory at the Ford Women’s NSW Regional Qualifying tournament in Moss Vale, Australia, marking her fifth career start. "I’m so happy, I can’t even put it into words," she said following that win. "It still doesn’t feel real yet. I did not expect this at all — big surprise."