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Tom Kim Takes Asian Games Lead With Military Exemption in Sight

Posted : 02 October 2026

Tom Kim moved into the lead after the third round of the Asian Games golf competition, putting himself within one round of a gold medal that would exempt him from South Korea’s mandatory military service.

The South Korean carded a five-under-par 65 at Kasugai Country Club on Friday, producing five birdies and an eagle to reach 12 under for the tournament. His score lifted him one shot clear of Taiwan’s Wang Wei-hsuan and Japan’s Kazuki Higa with 18 holes remaining.

Kim entered the third round two shots behind the overnight leaders but quickly moved into contention with an impressive performance. He could have extended his advantage further, with birdie attempts on the 14th and 18th holes narrowly missing.

The 24-year-old arrived in Japan shortly after competing at the Presidents Cup in the United States. The quick turnaround left him with only around six hours of sleep and a 14-hour time difference to manage before beginning his Asian Games campaign.

A gold medal carries particular significance for Kim because South Korean athletes can receive an exemption from mandatory military service by winning Asian Games gold. The country's able-bodied men generally face 18 to 21 months of service, making the exemption important for professional athletes whose careers could otherwise be interrupted.

Kim previously came close to securing the benefit at the Paris Olympics in 2024, where he finished eighth after beginning strongly. He now has another opportunity in Japan, with either an individual or team gold potentially providing the exemption.

South Korea also leads the men's team competition by one stroke heading into the final round. A team victory would therefore provide another route for Kim and fellow South Korean S.H. Kim to secure the exemption, regardless of their individual finishes.

S.H. Kim acknowledged the pressure surrounding the situation, saying the possibility of military service was weighing on him. He added that winning team gold would allow him to continue his professional career without the interruption.

 

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