The Stakes in Japan
Tom Kim stands at a critical crossroads in his young career. The 24-year-old South Korean star is currently competing in Japan, where the pressure extends far beyond the leaderboard. To sidestep the mandatory military service that halts professional careers in his homeland, he must secure a gold medal in the individual or team event.
Without this specific victory, Kim faces an interruption of up to 21 months. This is not just a tournament; it is a fight to keep his game alive during his prime years. The clock is ticking, and every shot matters more than usual.
Current Standings and History
GolfMagic reports that Kim shot a 4-under 66 during Thursday’s second round at Kasugai Country Club. This score moved him to 7-under for the tournament, leaving him just two shots behind the co-leaders. He currently sits in a tie for third place. With five birdies and one bogey, the 24-year-old Kim Joo-hyung followed his opening 67. South Korea is firmly in contention for the team gold as well. The nation sits third at 14-under after 36 holes, trailing Japan at 16-under and China by one shot. Each country’s three-man team contributes its two lowest scores per round to determine the team competition results. Kim’s performance contributes directly to these medal hopes.
Fellow South Korean Mun Do-yeob is also 7-under individually, while Kim Seong-hyeon sits at 1-under. Since Mun has finished his military service, only Kim and Kim Seong-hyeon remain in the race for the exemption. Kim went to Japan after a busy week at the Presidents Cup in Chicago. After defeating U.S. Open champion Wyndham Clark in Sunday’s singles, he went straight to Japan for the golf competition. The history here is sobering.
Yahoo Sports noted that South Korean golfer Bae Sang-moon stopped playing on the PGA Tour due to mandatory service, a turning point that derailed his career. In 2015, Bae was at the peak of his powers. He was a rising star who had won twice on the PGA Tour. Yet, he was legally required to depart the tour and enlist for two years. By the time he returned in late 2017, his world ranking had dropped to 1,869th. Bae confessed that while he remembered how to swing a club, he had entirely lost the feel for competitive golf.
Before turning 28, South Korean Law requires all able-bodied men to complete 18 to 21 months of mandatory military service. This applies even to professional athletes like Kim. Special exemptions are granted by the government solely to athletes reaching specific milestones of high national prestige. Winning an Olympic medal or a gold medal at the Asian Games grants a player qualification. That is why Kim flew to Japan immediately after the Presidents Cup.
Achieving a Gold Medal in either event would provide him an exemption, making it vitally important that he succeeds. The alternative is a long layoff that breaks rhythm and feel. Bae’s story serves as a cautionary tale. He only managed to make a few cuts immediately upon returning from the military. Although he won on the Korn Ferry Tour to salvage some form, Bae ultimately lost his PGA Tour card entirely. For Kim, avoiding this fate is the primary goal of this week.
South Korea needs to maintain its position to secure the team gold. Japan leads the team competition, but the gap is narrow. Kim’s individual standing also puts him in a strong position for the individual title. Wang Wei-hsuan of Chinese Taipei and China’s Ding Wenyi are among the challengers he might face or lead against in the next round.
