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Tom Kim won the Asian Games men's golf title Saturday, taking home a gold medal and, with it, a pass out of the roughly 18 months of military service most South Korean men must complete.
The PGA Tour player closed with a 6-under 64 for a four-day total of 18-under 262, finishing three shots clear of the field at Kasugai Country Club.
Under South Korean rules, a medal of any color at the Olympics, or gold at the Asian Games, exempts able-bodied men from service. The exemption also covers classical and traditional musicians, dancers and other artists seen as lifting national pride.
Asked about the exemption, he put the medal first. "I'm more proud that I'm able to bring a medal for my country," he said.
Three golfers finished three shots behind Kim and went to a playoff for the other medals. Kazuki Higa of Japan took silver and Sadom Kaewkanjana of Thailand took bronze.
The result carried a twist for South Korea's team. China won the team event, with South Korea taking silver and Japan bronze, so Kim's teammate S.H. Kim, who is Kim Seong-hyeon at home, missed out on an exemption, closing with a 73.
The third member, Mun Do-yeob, shot 70, but he had already served and didn't need one.
The tournament was 72 holes of stroke play. Teams had three players, with only the two best scores each day counting toward the team total.
Tom Kim dominated the 7,035-yard course, making eagles on the par-5 13th hole in each of the last two rounds. At 520 yards, it played short in sunny, calm conditions.
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