Winning the Olympics was not just about passion for Tom Kim. But it was an opportunity to avoid giving mandatory military service. According to South Korea’s conscription rule since 1957, all male citizens between 18-35 years have to give military service for 18-21 months. 22 YO Kim had a lot of it at stake.

That was if he had won the Olympics in Paris. However, as the ultimate round ended, although Kim went completely bogey-free, he finished with an eighth position, six strokes behind Scottie Scheffler. With the Olympic trophy, his dream of being exempt from military service too disappeared. But here’s how the World’s No. 1 consoled him.

Scottie Scheffler’s kind words for Tom Kim

After the post-round presser at the 2024 Olympics Tom Kim, who was seen breaking down stated that he has never really felt emotional after a golf round. Even if he did not win. But, as the round ended, Scottie Scheffler had come to console him, which was a big deal for Tom Kim.

He said, “I think these emotions are surprising but I think it’s just all the hard work I’ve done this year to put myself in this position, those things are coming out. Just the things Scottie said to me after the round really kind of came out and I’m just trying to hold it together.” It was Scottie Scheffler’s kind words that made Tom Kim calm down after the loss at the Le Golf National.

However, for Kim, the integrity of their friendship keeps more value than revealing what Scheffler had told to console him. So, when asked about it, Kim denied it and simply said, “It is more a private conversation. So just grateful for the friendship.” Well, it was not just Tom Kim who was upset for not being able to grab the exemption.

Byeong Hun An on not being able to grab the military exemption

The exceptions of providing military services also include an Olympic medal win. For South Korean golfers, winning no other tournament except for the Asian Games, even a Major Championship meets the criteria. This was all the more reason why A was hoping to get the win. “I guess the other Koreans would say, ‘Everyone goes, so why do we get exempt from it?’”, he told the reporters.

Sadly, Byeong Hun A was nowhere close to the winning place. He finished at 24, tying with Collin Morikawa, 13 strokes behind Scottie Scheffler. His exemption will not remain a dream for the next four years!