KUALA LUMPUR: Natasha Andrea Oon may soon be able to buy her parents a good meal with her own hard-earned money.
The 20-year-old will get a chance to do so this week if she earns her first pay cheque as a professional golfer.
Natasha had on Sunday announced that she was joining the play-for-pay ranks and is set to hit the ground running at the US$2.3mil (RM10.16mil) Meijer LPGA Classic, which tees off on Thursday at the Blythefield Country Club in Michigan.
Natasha, who graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration from the San Jose State University in the United States, believes it is the time to move on to a new chapter following a successful amateur career. She was ranked world No 7 as an amateur.
"I would not say I am ready. I don't think anyone is ever ready when they move to the next stage in life," said Natasha, who capped her collegiate golf career on a high by finishing runner-up in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division 1 Championship last month.
"It is time to bring my game to a bigger stage."
Natasha admitted that her move to turn pro upon graduation overwhelmed her initially.
However, it turned out to be an easy decision, thanks to the Inkster Award presented by Work Day earlier this month.
The award, named after LPGA Hall of Famer and Solheim Cup legend Juli Inkster, is given to the highest-ranked women's college golfer as determined by the Golfstat and Golfweek/Sagarin rankings.
The winner receives a sponsor exemption into two LPGA Tour events — Meijer LPGA Classic and Portland Classic (in September).
"I think the process was overwhelming, to be honest. I was pretty lucky in the sense that I won the award," said Natasha.
"I did not consult anyone, except my parents, about turning pro.
"Making a living from golf has always been the goal. I always wanted to treat my parents out for dinner with my own money.
"Starting this week, I will be living my dream, so the focus is to do well and see where it takes me."
Despite having two LPGA Tour starts secured this year, Natasha still has to earn a pro card through the three-stage Qualifying School (Q-School). Natasha received a direct entry into Stage Two, which will be held in Florida on Oct 18-21, after finishing in the top five of the Golfstat and Golfweek/Sagarin rankings.
The third stage will be in December, with the top-45 golfers earning LPGA Tour cards.