Tom Kim wins Asian Games gold to secure South Korean military exemption

South Korean golfer Tom Kim has won the individual gold medal at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan, securing a life-changing exemption from his country's mandatory military service.

The 24-year-old, who entered the final round at Kasugai Country Club with a slender one-shot lead, delivered a brilliant final-round 64 to finish three strokes clear of his nearest challengers. His round, which featured five birdies and an eagle, comfortably held off Japan's Kazuki Higa, China's Ding Wenyi, and Thailand's Sadom Kaewkanjana.

The victory resolves the single biggest threat to Kim's rising career. Under South Korean law, all able-bodied men must complete between 18 and 21 months of military service before they turn 28. However, the government grants exemptions to any athlete who wins an Olympic medal of any colour, or a gold medal at the Asian Games. Those who qualify for the exemption only have to complete basic training, which lasts less than a month.

For Kim, the gold medal is a massive relief after several near-misses. He had previously come close at the Paris Olympics in 2024, where he entered the final round in a medal position but faded to finish eighth, leaving him visibly emotional.

His journey to the top of the podium in Japan was an exhausting one. Kim arrived at the tournament having rushed straight from the Presidents Cup in the United States, where he defeated Wyndham Clark in the Sunday singles. He had to tee off in Japan on just six hours of sleep while battling a 14-hour time difference.

Despite the fatigue, Kim's class showed. Currently ranked 32nd in the world, his 2026 season had already been highly successful, featuring a third-place finish at the US Open and a victory at the Scottish Open in July. Now, with four PGA Tour titles and his immediate future secured, he can continue playing on the global tour without the interruption of a nearly two-year hiatus.

While Kim celebrated, there was heartbreak for his South Korean teammate, SH Kim. The men's team event offered an alternative path to military exemption for the squad, but China narrowly beat South Korea to the team gold.

The result means the 28-year-old SH Kim missed out on the exemption, having previously spoken of the immense pressure of the situation. "I am 100% nervous, for sure," he had said before the final round. "I could stay on the PGA Tour [with a gold]. That's my goal." The third member of the South Korean team, Mun Do-yeob, had already completed his military service.