Healthy South Korean men are usually required to complete military service for up to two years before turning 28. However, athletes who win gold in the Asian Games or an Olympic medal are exempted.
24-year-old Tom Kim, who usually plays on the PGA Tour, missed out on the exemption at the Olympics but took the chance at the Asian Games.
32nd-ranked Kim won the competition by three strokes and was visibly relieved as he raised his arms to the sky after sinking the decisive putt.
"I tried not to think about it. I just wanted to play as well as possible for my country and bring home a medal for them," he told Sky Sports.
