NAGOYA, Japan (AP) — South Korean golfer Tom Kim got what he was looking for by winning the men’s singles Saturday at the Asian Games: a gold medal and exemption from military service in the country.
He shot a 6-under 64 in Saturday’s final round for a four-day total of 18-under 262. Three golfers were three behind and faced the playoff with Japan’s Kazuki Higa winning silver and Thailand’s Sadom Kaewkanjana taking bronze.
Tom Kim made a special effort to establish himself in Japan, crossing the Pacific when the Presidents Cup the competition ended last weekend.
When asked about the exemption, he opted for the gold medal.
“Despite this, I am even more proud to be able to bring a medal to my country,” he said.
He acknowledged the pressure – the flight, the expectations, the gold medal and more.
“I tried not to think about it,” he said. “I just tried to play the best for my country. It’s a big stepping stone. I think the pressure I felt this week, I will be able to implement it in my next seasons.”
Most able-bodied men in South Korea must serve about 18 months in uniform, but a medal of any color at the Olympics – or gold at the Asian Games – offers a way out.
However, South Korea failed to win the team competition. This means that SH Kim, who played on the team with Tom Kim, did not get the bye. He finished with a 73 and the third team member, Mun Do-yeob, 35, shot 70. Mun had already served and did not need the bye.
Kim Joo-hyung goes by Tom Kim when playing on the PGA Tour, and Kim Seong-hyeon goes by SH Kim when playing overseas.
China won the team event with South Korea taking silver and Japan taking bronze.
The military exemption in South Korea also applies to classical and traditional musicians, dancers and other artists considered to enhance national pride.
The Asian Games format was 72 holes of stroke play. Teams consisted of three players, but only the top two scores counted toward the team total each day.
Tom Kim dominated the 7,035 yards at Kasugai Country Club. The last two days he carded eagles on the par-5 13th, a 520-yard hole very accessible in sunny weather for the final rounds with little wind.
South Koreans at the games took advantage
Sixteen South Korean baseball players are also exempt after beating Japan 3-1 in the Asian Games final earlier in the week. The same goes for three South Koreans who won gold in esports, an Asian Games event.
“Of course, the result is important, and the fact that players are exempt from military service is important,” said Lee Sang-hyeok, known as “Faker” in the esports world.
Lee won gold three years ago at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, and this time he helped his teammates avoid conscription.
Some among us wonder whether the exemption – created more than 50 years ago – is fair. South Korea’s Yonhap news agency days ago called the system “outdated” and called for change.
The news agency said the victory in the baseball game against Japan “symbolically reflects the changing times and public expectations.”
___
SNTV video journalist Nicky Zhu contributed to this report.
___
See the AP’s full coverage of Asian sports here
___
See AP’s complete golf coverage here
Gn sports
