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South Korean golfer Tom Kim won the men's singles golf gold medal at the Asian Games in Kasugai, Japan, earning an exemption from military service. He shot a final-round 64 for an 18-under total of 262.
South Korean golfer Tom Kim won the men's singles golf gold medal on Saturday at the Asian Games in Kasugai, central Japan. The victory earns him an exemption from military service back home.
Kim Joo-hyung goes by Tom Kim when he plays on the PGA Tour. Kim Seong-hyeon goes by S.H. Kim when he plays abroad. Kim shot a 6-under 64 in the final round for a four-day total of 18-under 262.
Tom Kim Wins Golf Gold Medal
Three golfers finished three shots back and faced a playoff. Kazuki Higa of Japan took silver and Thailand's Sadom Kaewkanjana earned bronze. The 72-hole stroke-play event was played at Kasugai Country Club on a 7,035-yard course. Kim dominated the course.
The last two days he carded eagles on the par-5 13th, a 520-yard hole that was very gettable on sunny days for the final rounds with little wind. Kim made a special effort to win in Japan, flying across the Pacific after the Presidents Cup competition ended last weekend. Asked about the military exemption, he took the gold-medal approach. He said he was more proud that he was able to bring a medal for his country.
He did acknowledge the pressure, including the flight, the expectations and the gold medal itself. He said he tried not to think about it and just tried to play his best for his country. He called it a big stepping stone and said the pressure he felt this week would help him in upcoming seasons. Most able-bodied men in South Korea must serve about 18 months in uniform.
Military Service Exemption Rules
A medal of any colour at the Olympics, or gold in the Asian Games, provides an out. The exemption also applies to classical and traditional musicians, dancers and other artists viewed as enhancing national pride.
However, South Korea failed to win the team competition, so S.H. Kim, who played on the team with Tom Kim, did not get the exemption. He closed with a 73. The third team member, 35-year-old Mun Do-yeob, shot 70 and did not need the exemption because he had already served.
China won the team event, with silver for South Korea and bronze for Japan. The team format used three players, but only the best two scores counted each day toward the team total. South Koreans at the games have taken advantage of the exemption rules in several sports. Sixteen South Korea baseball players are also exempt after defeating Japan 3-1 in the Asian Games final earlier in the week.
Esports Gold Brings Exemption
So are three South Koreans who won gold in esports, an event at the Asian Games. Lee Sang-hyeok, known as Faker in the world of esports, won gold three years ago at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, and this time helped teammates avoid conscription. Lee said the result is important and the fact that the players will be exempt from military service is important. Some at home question if the exemption, created more than 50 years ago, is fair.
The South Korean news agency Yonhap a few days ago termed the system outdated and called for change. It said the baseball victory over Japan symbolically reflects the changed times and the public's expectations. SNTV video journalist Nicky Zhu contributed to this report. Stephen Wade, The Associated Press.
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CP24:South Korean golfer Tom Kim gets military exemption with gold medal at Asian Games 
CTVToronto:South Korean golfer Tom Kim gets military exemption with gold medal at Asian GamesThis story was compiled and edited by the HeadTopics newsroom and HT AI from the reports above.
Sports Tom Kim Asian Games Golf South Korea Military Exemption Kasugai Japan Asian Games Team Event Military Exemption South Korea Conscription Kasugai Country Club
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