Tom Kim wins Asian Games gold to earn military exemption

Tom Kim has won Asian Games gold in men's golf and secured an exemption from South Korea's mandatory military service.

The 24-year-old closed with a six-under-par 64 in the final round to finish at 18 under par, three shots clear of the field. That means 18 shots fewer than the course standard across four rounds. He sealed victory on Saturday, 3 October, at Kasugai Country Club in Japan, according to BBC Sport.

Kim arrived in Japan straight from the Presidents Cup in the United States. The world number 32 already owned four PGA Tour titles. He took the lead after the third round, leaving himself 18 holes from the gold he needed, as reported by Golf Channel.

The stakes went beyond a medal. Able-bodied South Korean men are usually required to serve 18 to 21 months before the age of 28. Asian Games champions and Olympic medallists of any colour earn an exemption, with only basic training of less than a month still to complete.

Footballer Son Heung-min followed the same path. He served for only three weeks in 2020 after winning Asian Games gold with South Korea two years earlier.

Kim held his nerve when it mattered. A gold in either the individual or the team event would have been enough to exempt him from full active-duty service. He did it the hard way, leading from the front and pulling clear on the final day.

There was disappointment elsewhere for South Korea. Kim, SH Kim and Mun Do-yeob took silver in the men's team event. That second place cost the 28-year-old SH Kim an exemption. Mun Do-yeob had already completed his service.

For fans, this means Kim's career can continue without interruption. A spell of almost two years away in his twenties would have stalled momentum, sponsorship and ranking points. Now he plays on.

Kim knows near misses on big stages. He was tied for third after day one at the Paris 2024 Olympics before finishing eighth. This time he finished the job, with a 64 when the pressure was greatest.