[Photo: Ladies European Tour]

West Australian Whitney Hillier carried the memory of fellow WPGA Tour of Australasia member Jessica Bang to a co-runner-up finish on the Ladies European Tour.

Playing on a medical exemption as she works her way back from a battle with long-COVID that threatened to end her career, Hillier followed up rounds of 66 and 67 with a closing 68 to share second place at the VP Bank Swiss Ladies Open at Golfpark Holzhäusern. England’s Eleanor Givens took the title by a stroke thanks to a birdie at the penultimate hole.

RELATED: Australian tour pro Jessica Bang passes away after brain haemorrhage in Thailand

The 35-year-old Hillier is drawing extra inspiration this week in honour of 18-year-old Bang, who tragically passed after suffering a brain haemorrhage while preparing for the KLPGA 2026 International Qualifying Tournament in Thailand.

In a statement released on Friday, the WPGA Tour of Australasia expressed its great sadness that a young player of such promise could lose her life so suddenly.

“The WPGA Tour of Australasia and the broader Australian golf community is deeply saddened by the passing of young Tour member Jessica Bang in Thailand,” the statement read.

“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.”

Tied for eighth at WPGA Qualifying School last December, Bang played three of the LET co-sanctioned events in Australia in March having won the Women’s NSW Open Regional Qualifying Event at Moss Vale in just her fifth professional start in February.

“She was entered to play KLPGA Q-School in Thailand and she’s not with us anymore,” Hillier said. “I didn’t know her very well, but I met her through the Aussie summer this year. Such a sweet player and had already won as well.

“She was on a good start already to her career and it just puts things into perspective.

“I’m incredibly grateful that I’m fit and healthy and I’m playing for her this week.

“I guess the putts are dropping for her.”

Hillier’s finish comes as something of a shock given her best LET result this year had been a tie for 37th at the Women’s NSW Open in Wollongong.

A clean bill of health and a consistent run of tournaments for the first time in four years has Hillier in a place mentally where she feels like she can compete.

“Everything’s just feeling really good at the moment,” Hillier said. “I’m in a good mental space and feeling fit – finally! I’m feeling healthy which is the most important thing. Everything is just kind of happening this week and it’s just feeling good.

“You never give up, right? I’ve always wanted to keep competing and I just love it out here. Especially here in Switzerland. What a nice place it is. It’s been lovely.

“I’ve been based in London these past few weeks. I didn’t play in the last few events so I’ve just been getting fit and healthy. Just grinding away and doing my thing. I’m so glad it’s coming along nicely.”