Tom Kim Focused on Asian Games Over Presidents Cup
There’s a significant opportunity for the International team to claim victory at the Presidents Cup for only the second time in its history this Sunday. However, one of their standout players, Tom Kim, may not be there to see it unfold.
Kim, who has accumulated three points out of a possible four during the event at Medinah, is scheduled to compete in the Asian Games at Kasugi Country Club in Japan starting Wednesday. While winning the Presidents Cup would be a remarkable achievement for him, a strong performance at the Asian Games would certainly take precedence.
Winning a gold medal in either the individual or team events in Japan would grant Kim an exemption from mandatory military service in South Korea, a situation that carries considerable weight for him.
As reported, Kim will be flying to Japan late Sunday afternoon, and his participation in the singles matches pits him against Wyndham Clark, slated as the second match of the day.
In South Korea, most able-bodied men are required to fulfill 18 to 21 months of military service. However, there are exceptions for athletes and artists who achieve significant milestones in international competitions.
To obtain these exemptions, an athlete must earn any medal at the Olympics or secure a gold medal at the Asian Games. Kim is striving for that gold.
Originally from Seoul, Kim nearly clinched a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, finishing four shots shy after a final round of 68, with American Scottie Scheffler taking home the gold.
Additionally, Sungjae Im and Si Woo Kim, who are also part of the International team this week, previously won a gold medal for South Korea in the team event during the 2023 Asian Games.
For this year’s Asian Games, Kim will be joined by Do-yeob Moon and S.H. Kim. The 24-year-old has made a name for himself on the PGA Tour, being a four-time winner and one of only four players from the International team to participate in all four sessions of this year’s Presidents Cup.
