Tom Kim won the gold medal at the Asian Games at Kasugai Country Club in Japan, shooting a final-round six-under-par 64 to finish at 18 under par and secure a three-stroke victory over silver medalists Kazuki Higa, Wenyi Ding, and Sadom Kaewkanjana.
Military Exemption Stakes at the Kasugai Country Club
Under South Korean law, able-bodied males are required to complete between 18 and 21 months of mandatory military service before turning 28. The South Korean government exempts Asian Games champions and Olympic medal-winners from this requirement, requiring only basic training of less than a month. For Kim, the victory at the Asian Games provided a career-saving exemption, allowing the 24-year-old world number 32 to continue playing on the PGA Tour without the multi-year interruption that derailed fellow professional Sangmoon Bae.
The service requirement has existed since 1957, with men expected to serve between ages 18 and 35. Kim previously missed a chance at exemption at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he finished eighth. Bae, a 16-time worldwide winner who reached world number 26 in 2011, won the Byron Nelson in 2013 and the Frys.com Open in 2014. After losing a court battle, Bae served 21 months as a rifleman starting in November 2015. He dropped from 88th in the world to 1,869th during his service. Upon returning to the PGA Tour in 2017, Bae told the Associated Press, I’ve kind of lost my feel how to play golf. Not how to swing—I forgot how to play golf.
Though he won in Boise, Idaho, on the Korn Ferry Tour in 2018, he lost his PGA Tour card after the 2018-19 season.
Tom Kim shoots final round following Tiger Woods text advice
Kim arrived in Japan directly from the Presidents Cup in the United States, managing on just six hours of sleep and adjusting to a 14-hour time difference. Nothing more, nothing less.” That guidance accompanied a dominant closing round that included five birdies and an eagle before a single bogey on the 17th hole.
The advice came via a Saturday morning text from Tiger Woods, who is a teammate of Kim on the TGL league co-founded by Woods and Rory McIlroy. He recorded four birdies on the front nine and an eagle on the par-5 13th to build a four-shot lead. On Tuesday, Kim took a shuttle to the course at 8:30 a.m. and stayed until 6 p.m., playing a practice round in the rain. Kim said, It did not even feel like I had a tournament starting the next day.
Team Silver and Missed Exemptions for Compatriots
While Kim secured his individual gold, the team event brought mixed results for South Korea. China’s trio of Wenyi Ding, Zihao Jin, and Yunhe Zheng claimed the team gold, leaving the South Korean squad with silver. That second-place finish meant 28-year-old SH Kim missed out on a military exemption and was summoned home to begin his service.
Other Korean golfers have previously secured exemptions, such as Seung Yul Noh, who won the 2014 Zurich Classic of New Orleans. Following a 3&2 win over Wyndham Clark, Tom Kim said, I’m very appreciative, and I’m very grateful to make the team this week.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many strokes did Tom Kim win by at the Asian Games?
Tom Kim won the individual gold medal by three strokes, finishing the tournament at 18-under-par 262 after shooting a final-round 64 at Kasugai Country Club.
Which players finished tied for second behind Tom Kim?
Japan’s Kazuki Higa, China’s Wenyi Ding, and Thailand’s Sadom Kaewkanjana finished tied for second place at 15-under-par, three shots behind Kim.
What military service exemption do South Korean athletes receive for winning gold?
Athletes who win gold medals at the Asian Games are exempt from the standard 18 to 21 months of mandatory military service, needing only to complete basic training that lasts less than a month.
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