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South Korean golfer dodges military service with Asian Games gold medal – with win securing same exemption that saw former Spurs star Son Heung-min let off mandatory stint

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.

By TAMARA PRENN · Daily Mail

Published: Saturday, 3 October 2026 at 11:14 AM

Key Things to Know

South Korean golfer Tom Kim won Asian Games gold to secure an exemption from mandatory military service.
Kim shot an 18-under 262 total to finish three strokes clear of silver medalist Kazuki Higa.
The victory earns Kim the same military exemption famously awarded to soccer star Son Heung-min in 2018.

The Story in 60 Seconds

South Korean golfer Tom Kim secured an exemption from mandatory military service after winning the men's singles gold medal at the Asian Games on Saturday. Kim shot a final-round 6-under 64 to finish with an 18-under 262 at Kasugai Country Club, finishing three strokes ahead of silver medalist Kazuki Higa and bronze medalist Sadom Kaewkanjana.

Under South Korean law, winning gold at the Asian Games exempts athletes from roughly 18 months of military duty, a benefit famously earned by soccer player Son Heung-min in 2018. South Korea took silver behind China in the team event, leaving Kim's teammate S.H. Kim without an exemption.

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