Archive · 3 Oct 2026
Tom Kim Wins Asian Games Gold, Secures Military Exemption
Tom Kim is a golfer from South Korea.
He won the men’s individual golf gold medal at the Asian Games in Japan.
He finished three strokes ahead of the other golfers.
In South Korea, most able-bodied men must serve in the military for about 18 months.
Winning Asian Games gold can earn a military-service exemption.
Kim said he was most proud to win a medal for his country.
South Korea won silver in the golf team event, so the team result did not give his teammates the same exemption.
Other South Korean athletes, including baseball players and esports competitors, also received exemptions after winning gold.
South Korean golfer Tom Kim won the men’s individual gold medal at the Asian Games in Japan.
He closed with a six-under-par 64 for an 18-under total of 262, finishing three strokes ahead.
Japan’s Kazuki Higa won silver, while Thailand’s Sadom Kaewkanjana took bronze after a playoff.
The gold qualifies Kim for an exemption from South Korea’s mandatory military service.
South Korea’s team silver did not earn exemptions for teammates SH Kim and Mun Do-yeob.
- Who
- South Korean golfer Tom Kim, also known as Kim Joo-hyung.
- What
- He won the Asian Games men’s individual golf gold medal, qualifying for a military-service exemption.
- When
- Saturday; the article does not give a calendar date.
- Where
- Kasugai Country Club, Japan.
- Why
- South Korean rules grant a military-service exemption to Asian Games gold medalists.
Individual achievement
Team outcome
Who qualified for an exemption
Individual achievement
Tom Kim earned an exemption by winning individual gold.
Team outcome
South Korea’s team silver did not qualify the other golfers for exemptions; China won team gold.
- Winner
- Tom Kim (Kim Joo-hyung), South Korea
- Event
- Asian Games men’s individual golf
- Final round
- Six-under-par 64
- Tournament total
- 18-under-par 262
- Winning margin
- Three strokes
- Silver
- Kazuki Higa of Japan
- Bronze
- Sadom Kaewkanjana of Thailand
- Military service
- Most able-bodied South Korean men serve about 18 months; Asian Games gold qualifies for an exemption.