‘Obviously Those Medals Help’: 21-Year-Old Tom Kim Gets Brutally Candid as the Towering Feats of His South Korean Comrades Loom Large

The PGA Tour fever continues as players prepare for the Shriners Children’s Open. The stakes are high this time, but they are even higher for defending champion South Korean player: Tom Kim. Last year, Tom became the second-youngest player to win twice on the PGA Tour since Ralph Guldahl in 1932. 

As he returns to defend his title, there is one more thing appears to be bothering him. A revised rule change in South Korea exempts athletes who win medals for the country from military service. Only two weeks ago, two of Tom’s South Korean colleagues were granted military exemption. 

Tom Kim’s high expectations and lingering military service concerns

Tom Kim recently spoke with a media outlet about his triumphant performance, sharing his excitement and nostalgia. Last year’s PGA Tour victory was notable not only for Tom becoming the youngest player since Tiger Woods in 1996 to win twice before the age of 21 but also for becoming only the second winner on the PGA Tour since Lee Trevino in 1974 to go 72 holes without making a bogey.

When asked about his preparation for the game and his hope for the exemption, Tom said, “That’s a great question. We’ll know more in the future.”

Despite his remarkable year, including a T-2 finish at the Open at Royal Liverpool, Tom knows that even these accomplishments might not be enough to escape military duty. He added, “So obviously those medals help. I think it depends on which medal. As I’m aware, with them having achieving gold, they have exemptions for the military.” 

The golfer concluded by saying, “Asian Games looks like it is gold, but I think from the Olympics, from what I’m aware, a medal should take care of it.”

The fans are looking forward to Tom’s performance on the greens this year, but to get a better sense of the pressure, first, some context. 

PGA Tour golfers Sungjae Im and Kim secure military exemption with Asian Games victory

South Korean law requires physically capable men to serve in the military beginning at the age of 19 and finishing by the age of 30. However, under revised government guidelines, an athlete is now eligible for military exemption if they win a gold medal for the country. The new rule was implemented after PGA Tour golfers Sungjae Im and Si Woo Kim won the Asian Games team gold medal in China a couple of weeks back.

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The players were exempted from military service because their victory marked South Korea’s first team gold medal in 13 years. The rule has now been changed to state that any athlete who wins an Olympic or Asian Games gold medal for South Korea will be granted military exemption. This new change has relieved the players of an impending obligation, allowing them to focus more on their careers. 

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