PGA Tour Golfer Must Win Tournament to Avoid Military Service

Tom Kim will be competing for more than just a golf victory when he tees it up at the Asian Games starting Wednesday at Kasugi Country Club.

Doug Ferguson of the Associated Press reported Kim has the opportunity to earn an exemption from his mandatory South Korean military service if he wins a gold medal in the men's competition or the team competition.

South Korean law requires able-bodied men to perform 18 to 21 months of military service, although exemptions are made for classical artists and athletes if they generate national prestige with their performances in international competitions.

A gold medal at the Asian Games or any medal in the Olympics earns such an exemption for athletes.

Kim had an opportunity to achieve just that during the 2024 Paris Olympics when he started the final round four shots behind the leader. However, he ended four shots outside of the podium with a 68 in that last round.

This year's Asian Games give him an excellent opportunity to avoid that military service.

Ferguson noted the Asian Games used to be for amateurs, but professionals were first allowed during the 2023 competition. Sungjae Im and Si Woo Kim led South Korea to the gold medal in the team competition by 25 shots.

Kim will look to replicate that victory this year after a solid season on the PGA Tour.

He made the cut in 20 of his 23 starts this season and won the Genesis Scottish Open in July. He also finished in third place at the U.S. Open in June and tied for fifth at the Wyndham Championship in August.