Asian Games: Tom Kim two shots off lead in pursuit of military service exemption

Tom Kim opened the Asian Games at Kasugai Country Club East Course in Japan on Monday, carding a 3-under 67 to take his place at T-7, two shots behind the co-leaders. The 24-year-old, who is playing for an exemption from South Korean mandatory military service, sits at 5 under alongside Japan’s Kazuki Higa, with Chinese Taipei’s Wei-hsuan Wang also at the co-lead. South Korea’s team is T-2 at 7 under after the team competition based on the two lowest individual scores. Under Korean law, winning a gold medal in either the men’s individual or team event can excuse Kim from serving. He previously won an exemption in 2023 after South Korea took the Asian Games by 25 strokes.