Kim’s Asiad gold earns military exemption

NAGOYA, Japan — South Korean golfer Tom Kim got what he came for by winning the men's singles on Saturday at the Asian Games: a gold medal and an exemption from military service back home. He shot a 6-under 64 in Saturday's final round for a four-day total of 18-under 262. Three golfers were three back and faced a playoff with Kazuki Higa of Japan taking silver and Thailand's Sadom Kaewkanjana earning bronze. Tom Kim made a special effort to win in Japan, flying across the Pacific when the Presidents Cup competition ended last weekend. Asked about the exemption, he took the gold-medal approach. “Despite that, I’m more proud that I’m able to bring a medal for my country,” he said. He did acknowledge pressure — the flight, the expectations, the gold medal and more. “I tried not to think about it,” he said. “I just tried to play [the] best for my country. It's a big stepping stone. I think the pressure that I felt this week, I'll be able to implement it in my upcoming seasons." Most able-bodied men in South Korea must serve about 18 months in uniform, but a medal of any color at the Olympics — or gold in the Asian Games — provides an out. However, South Korea failed to win the team…