SINGPAPORE — She is a math tutor but no matter how Singapore golfer Koh Sock Hwee looks at it, the sums just don’t add up.

Previously one of the Republic’s top amateur women’s golfers, the 26-year-old took the courageous plunge into the professional game last week but was immediately tripped-up by a stumbling block. Money.

Koh is planning to play in this year’s China LPGA Tour in her maiden professional campaign, and also have a second shot at qualifying for the prestigious LPGA Tour in the United States. But a lack of financial resources has threatened to derail her plans.

With the first China LPGA event — the Tour’s qualifying school (Q-school) in Guangdong - set to tee off in March, the Singaporean does not even have enough money now to pay the S$2,580 entry fee to be a player on the Tour.

“Maybe next month,” Koh, looking slightly embarrassed at her predicament, told TODAY on the sidelines of a practice session at the Sentosa Golf Club today. She was preparing for the HSBC Women’s Champions (March 3-6) host country qualifying tournament over the next two days.

“I have used up all my savings last August for the LPGA Q-school in California. I have been tutoring for longer hours and have taken on part-time jobs here and there, such as helping out in logistics in local golfing events. I have been scrimping and saving and I should have enough to pay the entry fee next month.”

She said she does not want to ask her parents for money as they are both retired.

But after that, what happens? With her meagre savings all blown on the China LPGA membership fee, how is she going to fund the rest of the journey?

“Of course, I am concerned about raising money but I will find a way,” she said. “I plan to increase my social media presence, and also talk actively to potential sponsors. I’m also planning to teach golf to young kids.”

Based on Koh’s calculations, she needs some S$88,000 to fund her debut season as a professional golfer. The figure includes the estimated S$45,000 she may have to spend for the LPGA Q-school, as well as another S$43,000 for playing in the China LPGA Tour and some regional tournaments in Thailand.

If it is so tough, why did she go on this path, especially when her mother has been nagging for her to get a “proper job”? It’s all because of one dream — to be the first Singaporean to play in the LPGA.

“I am already 26, and I have been talking about turning pro for so long,” explained Koh, who graduated in 2012 with a Degree in Project and Facilities Management from the National University of Singapore.

“Since I started playing competitively, I always wanted to go all the way to the top. The reason why I am only starting to do it now is because I had to complete my University studies first, and also represent Singapore at the 2015 SEA Games (where she won two bronze medals).

“The main thing now is to sort out my financial situation. I believe I can do it if I try hard enough.”

There is light at the end of the tunnel, though. If Koh qualifies for March’s HSBC Women’s Champions tournament, it will bag her about US$3,000 in prize money even if she finishes last in the field. The higher she finishes, the more money she will earn.

More importantly, playing among the world’s top women players will help raise her public profile as she continues her search for sponsors.

“I won’t give up,” Koh said. “I will give myself, maybe, till end of next year and see how it goes. If it still doesn’t work out, then maybe I’ll listen to my mother and get a job.”