Tom Kim clinched the men’s golf gold at the 2026 Asian Games, finishing 18 strokes under par and beating competitors from Japan, China, Thailand and Chinese Taipei.
For a South Korean male, the win means an exemption from a compulsory 18‑ to 21‑month stint in the armed forces before the age of 28. The government awards a brief basic‑training pass to Asian Games champions and Olympic medalists of any colour, allowing them to keep competing professionally.
The 24‑year‑old, ranked world number 32, had barely recovered from a long flight and only six hours of sleep before tee‑off. Still, he produced a brilliant six‑under‑par 64 in the final round, with five birdies and an eagle keeping the margin wide enough to stay relaxed, even after a bogey on the 17th.
Kim’s exemption follows a precedent set by athlete Son Heung‑min, who served only three weeks in 2020 after winning the Asian Games football title two years earlier. The policy has proved popular among South Korean sportsmen, who can now safeguard their careers while honouring national duties.
With the exemption in hand, Kim looks set to focus on his growing list of PGA Tour victories, including a recent win at the Scottish Open, and to prepare for upcoming global events without the interruption of military service.
