'It's a crazy feeling': Tom Kim avoids career-altering military service with gold at Asian Games

Tom Kim has won the gold medal in men's golf at the Asian Games with a score of 18 under. According to the New Straits Times, he shot a final-round six-under 64 to win by three strokes. This victory has exempted him from South Korea's mandatory military service, which typically requires able-bodied males to serve for 18-21 months before the age of 28.

As Yonhap News reports, athletes who win an Asian Games gold medal are eligible for exemption from military service. Kim, 24, will instead carry out just four weeks of light basic training. He had to travel from the Presidents Cup in the US, managing only six hours of sleep and a 14-hour time difference, as mentioned by Yahoo Sports.

Kim's win allows him to keep his career on track, having already claimed an Asian Tour order of merit crown and four PGA Tour titles. As quoted by the New Straits Times, Kim said, "It's a crazy feeling... I'm just glad it's over. This day was the longest day I think I've ever had in my life."

Brief written by urgent.news from Golf.com, New Straits Times, Yahoo Sports, Yonhap News, BBC Sport — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.