The International team stands a significant chance of securing victory at the Presidents Cup, an event held every two years. This outcome would mark their second win in the Cup’s history. However, one key player might miss the conclusion of the event. Tom Kim, a standout with three points at Medinah this week, is set to compete in the Asian Games at Kasugi Country Club, Japan. This start aligns with Wednesday, following Sunday’s potential Presidents Cup triumph.

For Kim, excelling at the Asian Games carries substantial weight. Winning a gold medal in either men’s individual or team competition could exempt him from mandatory military service in South Korea. This result is paramount compared to a potential Presidents Cup victory. Under South Korean regulations, the majority of healthy men must complete 18 to 21 months of military service. Nonetheless, athletes and classical artists achieving at top levels in international events receive various exemptions.

The opportunity comes from earning any Olympic medal or a gold at the Asian Games. Kim, who hails from Seoul, narrowly missed a bronze in Paris during the 2024 Olympics with a final-round score of 68, finishing four shots away from third place. Meanwhile, American Scottie Scheffler claimed the gold. Sungjae Im and Si Woo Kim achieved a gold in the team event for South Korea during the 2023 Asian Games.

Kim’s commitment is evident as part of a strong South Korean team at the Asian Games, joined by Do-yeob Moon and S.H. Kim. The 24-year-old boasts four PGA Tour wins and remains one of only four International team members participating in every session of this year’s Presidents Cup.