Rookie Australian tour professional Jessica Bang is on life support after suffering a brain haemorrhage while preparing for a tournament in Bangkok, the Daily Telegraph reports.
The 18-year-old collapsed in Thailand on August 1 and was rushed to Synphat Ramintra Hospital, where she underwent emergency brain surgery.
Bang remains in intensive care as her family seeks to bring her back to Australia to continue her recovery surrounded by loved ones.
A fundraising appeal launched by the golfer’s cousins seeks money to help cover mounting medical expenses and the cost of repatriation, which would require a specially equipped aircraft with intensive-care facilities.
Bang’s uncle, Jacob Kang, said the golfer had recently become an Australian citizen, complicating her residency and travel insurance arrangements.
“When she turned 18, she chose Australian citizenship, which unfortunately made her Korean residency/status and travel insurance situation quite complicated,” Kang said. “As a result, her medical treatment and related expenses are becoming a huge financial burden for the family.”
Bang had established herself as one of Australia’s most promising young golfers before the medical emergency.
In February, she won the Ford Women’s NSW Open Regional Qualifier at Moss Vale Golf Club by five shots, carding an eight-under-par 65 in the final round to set a new course record. She finished at 13-under, with a remarkable closing round featuring eight birdies and an eagle.
“I’m so happy, I can’t even put it into words,” Bang told Golf NSW after her breakthrough victory. “It still doesn’t feel real yet.”
Bang turned professional last November after a strong amateur career that included winning the Queensland Amateur title.
Her cousins said she had recently qualified to begin her rookie season in the WPGA/KLPGA and had earned the nickname “Rookie Bang”.