Jessica Bang, rookie professional golfer, dies at 18
MELBOURNE, Australia - Australian rookie professional golfer Jessica Bang died Thursday at a hospital in Thailand at age 18, the WPGA Tour of Australasia said.
Dig deeper:
Bang collapsed on Aug. 1 as she was preparing in Thailand for a tournament and was transported to a hospital in Bangkok, where she underwent emergency brain surgery.
What they're saying:
The "Australian golf community is deeply saddened by the passing of young tour member Jessica Bang in Thailand," the WPGA Tour of Australasia said in a statement. "Jessica was an outstanding young talent who made a significant impression in her short time on the tour."
The backstory:
Bang earned her place on the tour through qualifying school at the end of last year, and won the Women’s New South Wales Open Regional Qualifying Event in February in just her fifth professional start.
The Source: The Associated Press contributed to this report. The information in the story came primarily from the WPGA Tour of Australasia, which announced Jessica Bang’s death and provided details about her young professional career. This story was reported from Los Angeles.