Tom Kim, the 24‑year‑old South Korean PGA Tour champion who has already earned three of a possible four points for the International team at the Presidents Cup in Medinah, is preparing to depart the United States this weekend for the Asian Games in Japan.
From Medinah to Kasugi Country Club
Kim’s schedule shows he will fly to Japan late Sunday afternoon, just hours after the final day of the Presidents Cup. The Asian Games begin Wednesday at Kasugi Country Club, where Kim will join teammates Do‑yeob Moon and S.H. Kim on South Korea’s golf squad.
While a Presidents Cup victory would be a historic achievement – the International team could win the event for only the second time in its history – Kim has indicated that a gold‑medal performance at the Asian Games would be even more consequential for his personal future.
Military service exemption at stake
South Korean law requires most able‑bodied men to complete 18 to 21 months of compulsory military service. However, the nation grants special exemptions to athletes and classical artists who achieve top results in major international competitions. A gold medal at the Asian Games, or any medal at the Olympic Games, qualifies an athlete for such an exemption.
Kim narrowly missed an Olympic medal in Paris 2024, finishing just four strokes behind the bronze‑winning spot after a final‑round 68. American golfer Scottie Scheffler captured the gold. Now, Kim hopes to turn that near‑miss into a gold‑medal triumph in Japan, which would allow him to continue his professional golf career without interruption.
South Korea’s recent success in Asian Games golf
South Korea has a strong track record in Asian Games golf. In 2023, teammates Sungjae Im and Si‑Woo Kim helped the nation secure a gold medal in the team competition. Their success underscores the realistic chance that Kim could add his name to that list.
Kim’s participation also highlights the broader importance of the Asian Games for South Korean athletes seeking to fulfill or avoid military obligations. The exemption policy has long been a point of national pride, rewarding those who bring honor to the country on the world stage.
Presidents Cup impact
Kim’s departure means the International team will be without one of its most reliable point‑earners for the final singles matches on Sunday. He is slated to face fellow American Wyndham Clark in the second match of the day. The team will need to rely on the depth of its roster to maintain momentum.
Regardless of the outcome at Medinah, Kim’s focus will shift quickly to the Asian Games, where a gold medal could secure his future and allow him to continue representing both his country and the International team in future competitions.
What’s next for Kim?
After the Asian Games, Kim is expected to return to the PGA Tour schedule, where he will aim to add more victories to his already impressive résumé. Fans of the sport will be watching closely to see whether his pursuit of a military exemption translates into a historic gold‑medal performance.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
