Tom Kim wins Asian Games gold at Kasugai Country Club to secure military exemption

Tom Kim won gold at the Asian Games at Kasugai Country Club in Japan on 3 October 2026, securing an exemption from South Korea's mandatory military service.

The 24-year-old led going into the final round and carded a six-under-par 64 to finish 18 under, claiming victory by three strokes; he had previously won the Scottish Open in July, his first title in almost three years, and has four PGA Tour wins to his name. Kim came close to securing an exemption at the Paris Olympics in 2024, when he was tied for third after day one before finishing eighth overall.

In the final round Kim produced five birdies and an eagle before a bogey at the 17th but had built enough of a cushion to tap in for par on the last and celebrate emphatically. His closing 64 moved him clear of the field despite the late scare on the 17th.

Asian Games - final round -18 T Kim (Kor); -15 K Higa (Jpn), W Ding (Chi), S Kaewkanjana (Tha); -11 W-H Wang (Tpe)

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 awards Asian Games champions and Olympic medal-winners of any colour a service exemption bar basic training, which lasts less than a month. Athletes who have previously secured the exemption include former Tottenham footballer Son Heung-min, who served for only three weeks in 2020 having won the Asian Games with his country two years earlier.

Kim had rushed from the Presidents Cup in the United States to tee off at Kasugai Country Club, managing on just six hours of sleep and dealing with a 14-hour time difference. The world number 32 can now continue his career with minimal disruption.

South Korea only secured silver in the team event, meaning compatriot SH Kim, 28, missed out on an exemption; the team included Tom Kim and Mun Do-yeob, who has already completed his service.