But for Ashley, her introduction to golf came somewhat unexpectedly.
She started swimming competitively at the age of seven, and only transitioned to golf after her swim coach returned to China and her father suggested the switchover.
“My dad thought, why don’t you try golf and see where it takes you, so I picked it up.
“A couple of members at the golf club we went to noticed my potential and told my dad about it. That’s when my father started taking me to different coaches,” she told FMT.
Taking part in the Olympics is not exactly a far-fetched dream for Ashley, who was initially aiming for the 2028 Games in Los Angeles. What she did not expect was qualifying four years early for the Paris Games, scheduled to begin on Friday.
The Sarawakian from Bintulu only knew she qualified for the Olympics through sports reporters after she secured her first professional win at the Victorian Open in Australia in February.
But while many would consider the Olympics their biggest achievement in sport, Ashley plans to treat it just like any other sporting event and enjoy herself.
“I just feel like I’m an underdog in this race. Obviously, there is a lot of pressure, but I will give it my all and see what happens.
“I’m planning to go out there, have fun and wear the Malaysian flag proudly on my chest,” she said.
Ashley will be only the third female golfer from Malaysia to compete in the Olympics, after Kelly Tan, who took part in the last two editions, and Michelle Koh, who competed in the Rio Games in 2016.
While her immediate focus is on representing Malaysia at the Olympics, her ultimate goal is to qualify for the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) tour in the US, where she has been training.
“It has always been golf (in recent years). Golf was the one sport I really stuck with and I received a lot of exposure out of it,” said Ashley, whose boyfriend will caddy for her in Paris.
“If it wasn’t for the support that I’ve had, without the exposure and experience, I wouldn’t be the golfer I am today,” she said, thanking the Malaysian Golf Association and the Malaysian Ladies Golf Association for supporting her career by sending her overseas to compete.
Pursuing a career in golf has demanded a lot of discipline from Ashley, compelling her to give up many things that normal college students looked forward to, such as spring break and spending time with family and friends.
Another major struggle is finances, given that golf is an expensive sport.
“It’s pretty tough. I would say I’m living from paycheck to paycheck, but I’m doing what I love and not a lot of people can say that,” she said, adding that she funds her competitions using her tournament winnings.
“If a sponsor comes along, that would be great, but I’m focused on playing good golf and letting my scores do the talking,” she said.
Asked what advice she had for athletes aspiring to compete at the Olympics one day, Ashley said it was important to work hard and “trust the process”.
“The latter’s the hardest part. Even I have to remind myself of that sometimes. Keep your head down and just work hard; it will come out great one day,” she said.
The women’s golf events at the Paris Olympics will start on Aug 7.