Olympic golfer Tom Kim wipes away the tears as he misses chance to avoid military service in South Korea

Tom Kim, the talented South Korean golfer, was visibly emotional after finishing eighth in the men’s golf competition at the Paris Olympics, a poignant moment captured as he fought back tears. The intense final round of the competition saw Scottie Scheffler emerge victorious, clinching the gold medal for the United States with a stunning performance that equaled the course record with a nine-under-par 62.

 

As the final round unfolded, Scheffler delivered a masterful display of golf that proved too strong for his competitors. Tommy Fleetwood, who had been tied with Scheffler as they approached the 17th hole, ultimately secured the silver medal for Team Great Britain. Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama completed the podium with a bronze, finishing at an impressive 17 under par at Le Golf National.

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For Kim, a podium finish would have been more than just an Olympic medal—it would have allowed him to bypass mandatory military service in South Korea. South Korean law requires men to fulfill military conscription before the age of 28, a significant consideration for athletes who wish to pursue uninterrupted careers. Kim, 22, was in contention for a medal but fell short after a heartbreaking double-bogey on the final hole, which left him in eighth place and dashed his hopes of avoiding conscription at this time.

 

Scottie Scheffler, despite his own triumph, showed a deep sense of camaraderie by trying to comfort Kim after the conclusion of the round. Kim’s visible distress in the clubhouse was a stark contrast to the victorious celebration of Scheffler and his fellow medallists. In the aftermath, Kim reflected on his emotions, which were heightened by the intense year of hard work he had invested to reach this position. He shared that he had never been particularly emotional after a golf round before, but the weight of the occasion and the supportive words from Scheffler had brought these feelings to the forefront.

 

Kim’s situation is compounded by South Korea’s mandatory conscription policy, which looms over many young male athletes and professionals. Although Kim has additional opportunities to defer his military service, such as through the 2026 Asian Games in Japan or the 2028 Summer Olympics in the United States, the near-miss in Paris was a significant setback. Kim had previously downplayed the stress of the conscription issue, focusing instead on his golf and maintaining a positive outlook.

 

He stated, “It doesn’t worry me at all,” in reference to the prospect of conscription before the final round. Kim was determined not to let the potential for conscription distract him from his performance. He believed that focusing on his golf and performing well would ultimately address any concerns regarding his mandatory service.

 

The experience of fellow South Korean golfer Bae Sang-moon, who was conscripted for 21 months despite his successes on the PGA Tour, served as a sobering reminder of the reality that many South Korean athletes face. Kim acknowledged this by remarking, “Just because it happened to him doesn’t mean it happens to other people. You can’t say that it affected him at all.” Kim chose not to dwell on these issues, preferring to concentrate on his game and his immediate objectives.

 

The topic of military service has also touched other South Korean athletes in different ways. For instance, Tottenham footballer Son Heung-min faced the prospect of full conscription in 2018 but managed to reduce his required service by leading South Korea to victory at the Asian Games that same year. His experience highlights the potential for sports achievements to influence or mitigate conscription requirements, though it also underscores the pressure faced by South Korean athletes to balance their professional careers with national obligations.

 

Reflecting on his own experience of conscription, Son shared, “The guys were nice, the three weeks were tough but I tried to enjoy the three weeks.” He described his time with his fellow conscripts as challenging yet rewarding. “I don’t know how the people felt but for me three weeks has been long. But it was a good experience and I enjoyed it.” Son recounted the initial awkwardness of meeting new people and adjusting to the shared living conditions, but he appreciated the camaraderie that developed over time. “On the first day, the other guys couldn’t even speak to me but afterwards they were joking with me, and in the end, we were enjoying everyone together.”

 

As Tom Kim continues to navigate his career and the realities of South Korea’s conscription laws, he remains hopeful and focused. The Olympic experience, while emotionally taxing, also presents him with future opportunities to achieve his goals and potentially sidestep mandatory military service through success in upcoming major events.