Tom Kim Competes in Asian Games Following Presidents Cup Participation

<p>Tom Kim, a key player for the International team at the Presidents Cup, is scheduled to compete in the Asian Games at Kasugi Country Club in Japan starting Wednesday. Kim has secured three out of four possible points at the Presidents Cup, but a strong performance in the Asian Games is significant for him.</p><p>If Kim wins a gold medal in either the men's individual or team competition, he would be exempt from mandatory military service in South Korea. According to the Associated Press, Kim will depart for Japan late Sunday afternoon, with the Asian Games commencing on Wednesday.</p><p>Under South Korean law, most able-bodied men are required to complete 18 to 21 months of military service, but exemptions are available for athletes and classical artists who excel in international competitions. Specifically, athletes can receive exemptions by earning any medal at the Olympics or a gold medal at the Asian Games.</p><p>Kim, born in Seoul, South Korea, narrowly missed a bronze medal at the 2024 Olympics in Paris, finishing four shots behind the third-place competitor. American golfer Scottie Scheffler won the gold medal in that event.</p><p>During the 2023 Asian Games, fellow competitors Sungjae Im and Si Woo Kim won a gold medal for South Korea in the team competition. For this year's Asian Games, Tom Kim will be joined by Do-yeob Moon and S.H. Kim on the South Korean team.</p><p>Kim is a four-time PGA Tour winner and one of only four players from the International team to participate in all four sessions of this year's Presidents Cup.</p>