Tom Kim has earned a full exemption from South Korea’s mandatory military service after capturing gold in the men’s individual stroke‑play at the Asian Games. Who could have imagined a golf star sidestepping service?
Entering the final round with a one‑stroke advantage, the 24‑year‑old fired a spectacular six‑under 64, finishing three shots ahead of Japan’s Higa Kazuki, China’s Ding Wenyi and Thailand’s Sadom Kaewkanjana.
He topped the International Team’s score at last week’s Presidents Cup versus the USA, then jet‑lagged to Japan to join two fellow South Korean golfers at Kasugai Country Club.
South Korean men must enlist by age 28 and serve 18‑21 months, but an Asian Games or Olympic gold waives the full term.
The four‑time PGA Tour champion, fresh from a July Genesis Scottish Open win, needed either the individual or team title to lock in the exemption and keep his career on track. For my money, that exemption is crucial for his rising career.
Now he’ll only face a basic‑training stint of under a month, echoing former Tottenham captain Heung‑Min Son, who completed a three‑week course after his 2018 Asian Games gold.
“It’s unbelievable,” Kim said. “I had one goal – to represent Korea and win gold – a moment I’ll never forget.”
Teamed with Seonghyeon Kim and Doyeob Mun, the South Korean trio led by one shot after three rounds but ultimately fell two strokes short of China for second place.
Kim burst out of the gate on Saturday’s final round, carding four birdies on the front nine at holes 2, 4, 6 and 8 to sit four under.
He added another birdie on the 11th and then vaulted to 19 under with an eagle on the 13th.
A bogey on 17 dropped him to 18 under, but he steadied with a par on the last to seal the top podium spot.
Teammate Mun finished tied for eighth at eight under, while Seonghyeon Kim ended tied‑24th, one over par.
Kim previously chased exemption at the 2024 Paris Olympics, missing a bronze by four strokes; the 2028 Los Angeles Games would have been his final chance before the age limit.
Sungjae Im and Si Woo Kim grabbed team gold at the 2023 Asian Games, also earning exemptions, whereas 2015 Presidents Cup veteran Sangmoon Bae saw his career stalled by service.
Find the best rates and book a round at any of the 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland. If he keeps this form, Kim could contend for a major title next season.