Tom Kim, the 24‑year‑old South Korean golfer, stormed into the final round of the Asian Games with a –18 lead and never looked back.
He shot a stunning six‑under‑par 64, finishing 18 under for the tournament and handing South Korea a gold medal in men’s golf.
Why does this matter? In South Korea, male citizens are normally required to serve 18–21 months in the military before turning 28. Across most sports, those who win an Asian Games gold get a “service exemption”, sparing them basic training.
Kim’s win – after a hectic travel plan that left him with only six hours of sleep and a 14‑hour jet lag – frees him to keep competing. He’s already won four PGA Tour titles and the Scottish Open last July.
The victory also ties him to a growing list of athletes who have used the Games as a springboard: former Tottenham striker Son Heung‑min earned a three‑week stint in 2020, for instance.
With the showdown complete, the footage below shows Kim erupting in celebration after his final putt.
