One of many greatest sub-plots of this week’s Males’s Golf Competitors in Paris revolved round Tom Kim, the 22-year-old South Korean who has skyrocketed in reputation because of his infectious character.
However the subplot shortly became an uncommon scenario, one thing most individuals will luckily by no means should expertise. All able-bodied South Korean males should serve 21 months within the navy earlier than they flip 35. To keep away from this stint within the service, an athlete should win a medal on the Olympics, one thing Kim strived to do that week in Paris. However he got here up 4 pictures wanting a bronze medal, ending at 13-under total to publish a solo eighth end.
That led Kim to tear up within the scoring tent after.
“By no means been actually emotional after a spherical,” Kim mentioned after his 3-under 68 on Sunday.
“I feel these feelings are stunning, however I feel it’s simply all of the arduous work I’ve carried out this yr to place myself on this place, these issues are popping out. Simply the issues Scottie [Scheffler] mentioned to me after the spherical actually sort of got here out, and I’m simply attempting to carry it collectively.”
Kim didn’t disclose specifics about what Scheffler provided, however relaxation assured that his phrases carried great weight, seemingly with a heavy dose of assist.
“He’s a extremely good buddy of mine,” Kim mentioned of Scheffler, who gained the gold medal and performed with Kim on Sunday.
“We’re most likely going to play some golf once more subsequent week. He understands what I’ve gone by means of. Simply these issues and a pal to say one thing like that after what he did, it means lots.”
Scheffler is extra like an older brother to Kim, as the 2 gamers really share the identical birthday. Yearly, usually across the Vacationers Championship in Connecticut, the two-star golfers have a good time with an evening out at dinner. This yr, Kim and Scheffler, in addition to Sam Burns, visited Sally’s Apizza in New Haven, a world-famous pizzeria that Kim raved about. Then, a couple of days later, Kim misplaced to Scheffler in an in depth playoff at TPC River Highlands however proved to the world that he has no concern in his sport and may contend among the many best.
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Related sentiments might be mentioned about Kim’s play this week. He acquired off to a roaring begin at Le Golf Nationwide on Sunday, making 4 birdies on the entrance 9 to exit with a 4-under 32. However a three-putt from 14 toes on the par-3 eleventh stalled his momentum, and a double-bogey six on the ultimate gap relegated him again to 13-under for the championship, effectively wanting the purpose he had set for himself in Paris.
However he little doubt achieved one of many targets he set for himself earlier this season simply by attending to Paris within the first place.
“I used to be struggling earlier this yr, and I actually needed to make it to the Olympics,” Kim defined.
“As soon as that call was made, it was nearly like an enormous burden got here off my shoulders. Then performing on the Olympics got here on, and these final two weeks have been brutal attempting to organize, and simply staying forward. Then as soon as the spherical finishes, every little thing is completed and carried out. I feel the feelings that I’ve held on this yr got here out.”
Fortunately for Kim, he doesn’t should report straight for obligation quickly. He may have one other alternative to seize a medal at Riviera in 2028, when Los Angeles will host the Summer time Olympics. However the younger South Korean additionally didn’t take into consideration the required service he owes his nation on Sunday. As an alternative, he thought in regards to the significance of representing his homeland, which seemingly each athlete felt this week in Paris.
“I wasn’t actually fascinated about that in any respect,” Kim mentioned when requested in regards to the navy.
“Simply try to make a medal for my nation and never myself.”
Jack Milko is a golf workers author for SB Nation’s Taking part in By way of. Remember to try @_PlayingThrough for extra golf protection. You possibly can comply with him on Twitter @jack_milko as effectively.