Tom Kim is at the Asian Games playing for his life. Well, at least 18 months of it.
A gold in either the individual or team event of the Asian Games would exempt the 24-year-old from South Korea’s active-duty military service.
Kim performed well with all the pressure on, shooting a 5-under 65 Friday at Kasugai Country Club in Japan to take a one-shot lead at 12 under in the men’s individual event.
Kim began the day two back but then carded an eagle and five birdies to jump up the leaderboard.
Wei-hsuan Wang of Chinese Taipei and Japan’s Kazuki Higa are tied for second at 11 under.
The team event counts the two best scores from each country’s three players every round. Kim’s low round vaulted South Korea from third into the outright lead at 20 under. Japan is one back, with China and Chinese Taipei tied at 18 under.
From the Korean team, Do-yeob Mun has already served, which leaves Tom Kim and Seong-hyeon (S.H.) Kim as the two playing for the exemption.
Mun shot 69 and sits at 8 under in a tie for 5th. S.H. Kim shot 69 and is at 2 under in a tie for 14th.
Tom Kim began the week on little rest. He flew to Japan straight from the Presidents Cup at Medinah, where he led the International side with four points from five matches and beat Wyndham Clark, 3 and 2, in singles.
The final round begins Saturday. Tom Kim knows there’s a lot at stake.