Tom Kim gains exemption from South Korea’s military service after securing Asian Games gold medal

The 24-year-old took a one-shot lead heading into the final round, but carded a sensational six-under 64 to secure gold and finish three shots clear of Japan's Higa Kazuki, China's Wenyi Ding and Sadom Kaewkanjana of Thailand.

Kim top-scored for the International Team at last week's Presidents Cup against Team USA before making an immediate trip to Japan, where he was among three South Korean male golfers to feature at Kasugai Country Club.

South Korean men must enlist in the military by the age of 28, serving for 18-21 months, but an Asian Games gold medal or Olympic medal provides an exemption from full military service.

The four-time PGA Tour winner, who won the Genesis Scottish Open in July, needed to win either the individual or team event to secure that exemption and, effectively, avoid having to pause his golfing career.

A gold medal means Kim will now be able to undergo basic military training, which lasts less than a month, similar to former Tottenham captain Heung-Min Son, who completed a three-week basic military training camp in 2020 after he led South Korea to gold at the Asian Games in 2018.

"It's unbelievable," Kim said. "I had one goal, and to be able to represent Korea and to win the gold medal, it's something that I will never forget in my career."

Kim partnered with Seonghyeon Kim and Doyeob Mun for the team event. The South Korean trio entered the final round one shot clear at the top of the leaderboard, but would finish two shots behind China in second.

Kim got off to an excellent start during Saturday's final round, going four under on his front nine, with birdies on holes two, four, six and eight.

He added another on the 11th, before extending his lead to 19 under with an eagle on the 13th hole.

A bogey on the 17th set him back to 18 under, but Kim would make par on the last to secure his spot at the top of the podium.

His compatriot Mun placed tied for eighth at eight under par, while fellow South Korean, Seonghyeon Kim, tied-24th at one over par.

Kim previously tried to secure his exemption at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he finished four shots outside the bronze-medal position. The 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles would have been his last opportunity before the age limit.

Sungjae Im and Si Woo Kim took team gold in the 2023 Asian Games, earning their military exemptions, although Sangmoon Bae - part of the 2015 Presidents Cup team - is among the golfers to have seen their career disrupted by military service .

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