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South Korean golfer Kim gets military exemption with Asian Games gold

South Korean golfer Tom Kim got what he came for by winning the men's singles on Saturday at the Asian Games: a gold medal and an exemption from military service back home.

ESPN

Published: Saturday, 3 October 2026 at 11:42 AM

Key Things to Know

Tom Kim won the Asian Games men's golf individual gold medal to earn an exemption from military service.
Kim shot a final-round 64 at Kasugai Country Club to win by three strokes with an 18-under total.
Kazuki Higa of Japan won the silver medal, while Thailand's Sadom Kaewkanjana earned bronze after a playoff.

The Story in 60 Seconds

South Korean golfer Tom Kim secured an exemption from mandatory military service by winning the men's singles gold medal at the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan. Kim posted a 6-under 64 in the final round to finish at 18-under 262, finishing three strokes ahead of silver medalist Kazuki Higa and bronze medalist Sadom Kaewkanjana.

While Kim won individual gold, South Korea took silver behind China in the team competition, leaving teammate S.H. Kim without an exemption. In South Korea, gold medals at the Asian Games exempt male athletes from roughly 18 months of compulsory military service.

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South Korean golfer Kim gets military exemption with Asian Games gold

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