KASUGAI — Tom Kim secured an exemption from South Korea's mandatory military service with victory at the Asian Games at Kasugai Country Club in Japan, finishing at 18 under par to win gold by three strokes. The 24-year-old closed with a six-under-par 64 to hold off Kazuki Higa, Wenyi Ding and Sadom Kaewkanjana, who tied for second at 15 under, with Wang Wei-hsuan fourth at 11 under.
Kim led going into the final round and delivered five birdies and an eagle to build a cushion that proved decisive. He showed nerves with a bogey on the 17th, but tapped in for par on the last to seal the title before letting out a roar as the relief was clear to see.
The result carries significance beyond golf. Able-bodied South Korean males are usually required to undertake between 18 and 21 months of military service before the age of 28, but the government rewards Asian Games champions and Olympic medal-winners of any colour with an exemption bar basic training lasting less than a month. Former Tottenham footballer Son Heung-min received the same benefit, serving for only three weeks in 2020 after winning the Asian Games two years earlier. The world number 32, who has won four PGA Tour titles and claimed his first title in almost three years at the Scottish Open in July, rushed from the Presidents Cup in the United States to tee off in Japan on just six hours of sleep and a 14-hour time difference. He had previously come close at the Paris Olympics in 2024, sitting tied for third after day one before finishing eighth.
Compatriot SH Kim, 28, missed out on an exemption as South Korea took silver in the team event. Tom Kim shared that team silver alongside SH Kim and Mun Do-yeob, who has already completed his service.