Tom Kim won the men's individual golf gold at the Asian Games. Under South Korean rules, the title exempts him from compulsory military service. He also took a team silver.
South Korean golfer Tom Kim won the men's individual gold at the Asian Games on Saturday. South Korea grants Asian Games champions an exemption from compulsory military service, and Reuters reported that the title brought Kim that exemption.
Kim also won a team silver for South Korea. He said the day felt like the longest of his life even though it had lasted only about five or six hours, and that he was glad it was done.
The individual gold was decided on the Asian Games golf course in Japan during the Aichi-Nagoya program. Reuters reported the result alongside other Saturday finals.
Military service is compulsory for South Korean men. A gold medal at the Asian Games is one of the established sporting routes to an exemption.
Kim's team silver does not change the individual exemption attached to the gold. He described the round as a relief once it was over.
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- Kim said the round felt like the longest day of his life and that he was glad it was done