Tom Kim wins gold at Asian Games, secures exemption from South Korea military service

Tom Kim's 6-under-par final round of the Asian Games on Saturday helped secure a gold medal and an exemption from South Korea's mandatory military service.

The win was the payoff for Kim, who left the Presidents Cup at Medinah Country Club last Sunday in Chicago to fly to Japan to compete in the tournament at Kasugai Country Club. He landed at 5 a.m. Tuesday and participated in a practice round three hours later while jet-lagged.

"It did not even feel like I had a tournament starting the next day," Kim said .

Able-bodied South Korean men are required to take on 18-21 months of military service before they turn 28. The government hands out exemptions to winners of Asian Games events and those who take home an Olympic medal of any color. Kim fell short at the 2024 Paris Olympics when he finished eighth in men's golf.

The 24-year-old Kim finished the 2026 Asian Games 18-under-par to win the event by three strokes. His last opportunity at an exemption had he not won this week was likely the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, when he would be 26.

"I came here believing that if I just did my thing, things would work out well in the end," Kim said. "I tried to maintain that mindset throughout and just play my game."

Kim was inspired on Saturday after waking up to a text message from golf legend and TGL teammate Tiger Woods saying , "Just be you. Nothing more, nothing less."

A reply has not been sent just yet, but Kim said, "I think I will send him a photo of me biting my gold medal."