Tom Kim felt emotional after finishing eighth in the Men’s individual stroke play at Le Golf National.
He needed to win a medal to avoid military service, but he fell short by four shots.
South Korean law requires men to serve 21 months of military service before they turn 35. Kim has until age 28 to avoid this by winning an Olympic medal.
Kim’s Emotional Struggle:
Golf returns to the Olympics in 2028 at Riviera Country Club. Kim must win a medal then or face military service. “I’ve never been really emotional after a round,” he said. “I think these emotions are surprising but I think it’s just all the hard work I’ve done this year to put myself in this position, those things are coming out.”
Tom Kim is emotional in the scoring trailer. A podium finish was needed to avoid the prospect of mandatory military service. pic.twitter.com/4I7X0WGMhP
🚨😢🇰🇷 Tom Kim is emotional in the scoring trailer. A podium finish was needed to avoid the prospect of mandatory military service.
— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF)
Kim added that he struggled earlier this year and felt relieved when he made it to the Olympics. But preparing for the event was tough: “Once the round finishes, everything is done and done. I think the emotions that I’ve held in this year are coming out.”
Fans might feel sad about his situation.
On the 18th green, Scottie Scheffler, who won gold, comforted him. Their friendship means a lot to Kim.
Incredible humility by Scottie Scheffler – delivers a final 9 that will win him the Gold, but has the presence of mind to comfort his friend Tom Kim who misses the chance to avoid mandatory military service in Korea. Another signature win for the no.1.#OlympicGames #OlympicGolf pic.twitter.com/SVEeZJP4oB
Incredible humility by Scottie Scheffler – delivers a final 9 that will win him the Gold, but has the presence of mind to comfort his friend Tom Kim who misses the chance to avoid mandatory military service in Korea. Another signature win for the no.1. #OlympicGames #OlympicGolf
— Luke Elvy (@Luke_Elvy)
“I’m so grateful for our friendship,” said Kim. “Just what Scottie said after my round really helped me hold it together.”
Kim denied thinking about military service during his game: “I wasn’t thinking about it at all. I just try and make a medal for my country, not myself.”
Sungjae Im and Si Woo Kim won gold at the 2023 Asian Games and got exempt from national service because of their victory.
What do you think? Should athletes get exemptions?
