“It’s a crazy feeling”: Tom Kim avoids mandatory military service with Asian Games gold

Tom Kim won the individual golf gold medal at the 2026 Asian Games, avoiding South Korea’s mandatory military service, which could have interrupted his professional career for 18–21 months.

According to GOLF.com, the 24-year-old Kim shot a six-under 64 in the final round and won with a total of 18 under par. He finished three shots ahead of Japan’s Higa Kazuki, China’s Ding Wenyi and Thailand’s Sadom Kaewkanjana. Kazuki took silver in the first playoff, while Kaewkanjana claimed bronze in the second.

After the round, Kim told Reuters: “It’s a crazy feeling. I’m just glad it’s over. This day was the longest day I think I’ve ever had in my life. It’s only been five or six hours, but it definitely felt like the longest.”

Kim began the final round with a one-shot lead. He made four birdies on the front nine at Kasugai Country Club’s East Course, then added another birdie and an eagle on the back nine. His only major setback was a late bogey on the par-4 17th, but he held on for the win.

“I tried not to think about it,” Kim told the Associated Press. “I just tried to play my best for my country. It’s a big stepping stone. I think the pressure that I felt this week, I’ll be able to implement it in my upcoming seasons.”

Kim has already won four PGA Tour events, but after completing his 3-and-2 singles victory over Wyndham Clark at last Sunday’s Presidents Cup, his main goal was to travel to Japan and win gold for himself and South Korea.

An Asian Games gold medal is one of the few ways for South Korean men to avoid mandatory military service, which must be completed between the ages of 18 and 35. An exemption is also available to South Koreans who win any Olympic medal. Kim narrowly missed that opportunity after finishing eighth at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

South Korea, however, finished second in the team event. Kim’s team, which also included PGA Tour veteran S.H. Kim and Mun Do-yeob, began the final round with a one-shot lead. S.H. Kim struggled on the back nine, making three bogeys to shoot 73, while Mun Do-yeob shot 70. South Korea finished at 26 under, two shots behind China, which won gold.

A team gold would also have earned S.H. Kim a military exemption. The silver medal leaves him with few options to avoid mandatory service.

“I’m more proud that I’m able to bring a medal for my country,” Tom Kim told the Associated Press.