Tom Kim odds: South Korean golfer could avoid military service by winning medal

South Korea’s Tom Kim must medal in the men’s golf tournament at this year’s Olympic Games in order to earn exemption from having to serve a 21-month military stint for his native country.

Per South Korean law, most able-bodied men between 18 and 35 years old are required to serve 18-21 months of military service. However, some athletes and artists can be granted special exemption. Kim, 22, could avoid service time if he medals at the Olympics.

Kim enters Sunday’s final round tied for sixth place at -10. He’s among a handful of players trailing Spain’s Jon Rahm and the United States’ Xander Schauffele, who are tied for the lead at -14.

As of Saturday afternoon, DraftKings gave Kim the eighth-best odds (+4000) of winning gold or finishing in the top five (+190). Schauffele (+150), who captured his first two career majors on the PGA Tour earlier this year, is the favorite to win gold.

Kim, currently 20th in the men’s world golf rankings, is the youngest three-time winner on the PGA Tour since Tiger Woods. He’s one of two South Koreans competing in the men’s individual golf tournament at the 2024 Olympics; Byeong Hun An enters Sunday’s final round tied for 17th at -7, on the outskirts of medal contention. An, 32, has not yet served his mandatory service time.

“I’m just trying to focus on my game,” Kim said when asked about the significance of medaling, via Alan Shipnuck. “I’m a competitor and we all play for the same thing. It’s just golf. So I’m just trying to put my head down and play.”