Kim wins Asian Games gold to secure military exemption

-18 T Kim (Kor); -15 K Higa (Jpn), W Ding (Chi), S Kaewkanjana (Tha); -11 W-H Wang (Tpe) Tom Kim won gold at the Asian Games to secure an exemption from mandatory service in South Korea's military. The 24-year-old led going into the final round and produced a brilliant six-under-par 64 to finish 18 under and claim victory by three strokes. There were signs of nerves with a bogey on the 17th but, after five birdies and an eagle prior to that, Kim had the margin for error and tapped in for par on the last before letting out a roar, his relief clear to see. Able-bodied South Korean males are usually required to undertake between 18 and 21 months of military service before the age of 28.