Teenage golf sensation Jessica Bang has tragically died after she was hospitalised for a sudden brain haemorrhage while readying for a tournament in Thailand.

The WPGA Tour of Australia announced on Thursday evening that Bang had been unable to recover from the condition that struck her down while she was preparing for an international tournament in Bangkok this month.

She burst onto the golfing stage earlier this year with her first win at the 2026 Ford Women’s NSW Open Regional Qualifying, which was only her fifth professional start. 

‘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,’ a WPGA Tour of Australasia statement said.

Bang had been on life support in Bangkok’s Synphat Ramintra Hospital after she was rushed there and underwent emergency brain surgery. 

Her family had been raising money through a GoFundMe for hospital bills and an expensive medical evacuation back to Australia, which had made more than $30,000.

Born in South Korea, Bang became an Australian citizen when she turned 18.

‘She chose Australian citizenship, which unfortunately made her Korean residency/status and travel insurance situation quite complicated,’ her uncle Jacob Kang said.

Jessica Bang had been preparing for a tournament in Bangkok when tragedy struck

Affectionately known as Rookie Bang, the rising star only turned professional in November.

During her first win, she shot an 8-under-par 65 in the final round to set a new course record.

Her mother acted as her caddie.

Golf NSW hailed the promising star at the time as ‘something special’.

‘I’m so happy, I can’t even put it into words,’ Bang said after the five-shot win.

‘It still doesn’t feel real yet. I did not expect this at all – a big surprise.’

Bang has been playing golf for eight years and recently qualified to start her rookie season in both the Australian and Korean ladies golf association tours.

She splits her time between South Korea and Sydney. 

The teen was placed on life support in ICU in Thailand but sadly did not recover

She won her first professional tournament earlier this year

‘We ask that you keep Jessica and her family in your thoughts and prayers,’ her cousins wrote.

Australian Golf Digest was among those to rally around the teen.

‘The thoughts of the entire Australian golf community are with Jessica Bang and her family,’ it wrote.