Kim wins Asian Games gold to secure military exemption

BySam Drury BBC Sport journalist. Asian Games – final round.

Key points

• 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.
• The 24-year-old led going into the final round and produced a brilliant six-under-par 64 to finish 18 under and claim victory by three strokes.
• Kim had previously come close to securing an exemption at the Paris Olympics in 2024, finishing day one tied for third before ultimately finishing eighth.
• Tom Kim won gold at the Asian Games to secure an exemption from mandatory service in South Korea's military.

Meanwhile, the 24-year-old led going into the final round and produced a brilliant six-under-par 64 to finish 18 under and claim victory by three strokes.

After five birdies and an eagle prior to that, Kim had the margin for error and tapped in for par on the last before letting out a roar, his relief clear to see, there were signs of nerves with a bogey on the 17th but.

Nevertheless, the administration rewards Asian Games champions and Olympic medal-winners of any colour with a service exemption bar basic training. It lasts less than a month.

Athletes who have previously secured the exemption include former Tottenham footballer Son Heung-min. This person served for only three weeks in 2020 having won the Asian Games with his country two years earlier.

Kim rushed from the Presidents Cup in the United States to tee off at the Kasugai Country Club in Japan, having to manage on just six hours of sleep and a 14-hour time difference.

His efforts were worth it as the world number 32 can now continue his career, in which he has already won four PGA Tour titles and triumphed at the Scottish Open in July, with minimal disruption.

Nevertheless, his compatriot SH Kim, 28, missed out on a military exemption as South Korea could only win silver in the team event, alongside Tom Kim and Mun Do-yeob. This person has already completed his service.

For now, kim wins Asian Games gold to secure military exemption remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.