“From the Olympics, a medal should take care of it,” disclosed a candid Tom Kim in 2023 ahead of the Shriners Children’s Open. He was alluding to the exemptions for the military given by the South Korean government to the golfers. Fast forward almost nine months and the PGA Tour pro is in sight of a medal at the Paris Games. But there are obstacles: several pros, including world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, the exact pro who Frank Voigt (a Royal Oaks member) dubbed as Kim’s ‘Big Brother’.

The fourth round of men’s golf at the 2024 Paris Olympics is just around the corner and the professionals in the field are all set for an exciting finale at Le Golf National. Kim, interestingly, is placed at T6 on the scoreboard, tied with Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, and Thomas Detry.

With the winner set to be crowned soon, a lot of golf enthusiasts couldn’t help but curiously ask if ‘Big Brother’ Scheffler would be willing to “intentionally tank” so that the South Korean can win the bronze to avoid the mandatory service.

As per the law in the country of South Korea, physically capable men are required to serve in the military for 18–21 months after they turn 19. The men have time to perform the same till they are 30 years old. And with Tom Kim turning 22 in June, the golfer is expected to serve his country in the military. But his fans online had another idea. An idea that would help him get exempted from military service.

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Fans take Tom Kim’s side over Scottie Scheffler

There are a total of 5 golfers above the likes of Scheffler and Kim on the leaderboard at the Olympics. Consequently, the current world No. 1 or the South Korean athlete needs to beat each other as well as the leaders, at least those at T1, T3, and T4, for a chance at the medals. A fan, seeing the same, commented, “We are all Tom Kim fans tomorrow. I believe 100%, if it came down to it, Scottie Scheffler would miss a putt if it put Kim on the podium tomorrow.” The two are tied with each other owing to their figures of 10-under overall after scoring 67-69-67 (Scheffler) and 66-68-69 (Kim).

The Olympics, as it is, do not award prize money to the field, unlike other golfing events. But various countries have their own regulations set aside for the winners. For South Korea, gold medalists are awarded a 63 million won bonus ($43,288), alongside either a pension or a lump sum. For bronze, however, the golfer will only receive 25 million won ($16934.61). Coming back to the American moving aside for the South Korean, a follower put himself in Scottie Scheffler’s shoes to discuss the money matters: “Can I chat with him about it and discuss a payout?” However, another follower just commented, “Nope. It’s not about you. It’s about protecting the field from bullshit like that. It’s a form of cheating,” all the while accusing the whole idea of nothing short of cheating.

It’s not just Kim who is teeing off on the final day while representing the country of South Korea. Byeong Hun An, his fellow countryman, will also be hoping for a podium finish. He is currently placed at T17 with figures of 72, 68, and 66 and will need a scintillating final round to put himself in contention for a medal. A follower, meanwhile, couldn’t help but sympathize with the 32-year-old who still hasn’t finished his military service: “At 22, Kim has years to get an exemption. At 32, An is running out of time. You have to serve by the time you’re 35.”

Tom Kim, the 3-time PGA Tour champ from South Korea, will surely hope to finish above the likes of Scottie Scheffler and others. After such tremendous support that he is getting from the fans, with some even responding, “C’mon Tom! One of my favorite golfers I can’t see him go,” the golfer will have to make sure to repay them back with a podium finish. But will he be able to do it? Just a few more hours to find out.