Kim Ju-hyung claims Asian Games gold in gripping final round

Kim Ju-hyung won the individual gold medal in men's golf at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games on Saturday.

Kim shot a 6-under-par 64 in the final round at Kasugai Country Club's East Course (par 70) in Kasugai, Aichi Prefecture, Japan, finishing at 18-under-par 262 to beat Higa Kazuki of Japan, Ding Wenyi of China and Sadom Kaewkanjana of Thailand by three strokes.

It was a final round that radiated sheer determination. Kim was visibly meticulous in his pre-shot routine from address to swing, and his every deliberate movement was broadcast live to viewers across South Korea.

Entering the final round with a one-stroke lead, Kim picked up birdies on holes 2, 4, 6 and 8 to go four under on the front nine and appeared to be pulling away. But the 191-centimeter Ding mounted a serious challenge, making three consecutive birdies on holes 1 through 3 and adding two more on holes 6 and 8 to close the gap.

Kim's world-class composure held firm. He added a birdie from 1.5 meters on the par-4 11th hole, then drove the nail in with an eagle on the par-5 13th — hitting his second shot with an iron to within two meters of the pin and calmly converting. Four strokes clear, Kim made a bogey on the par-4 17th, but it did nothing to threaten his gold medal.

The individual gold entitles Kim to a military service exemption under South Korea's arts and sports personnel system, which allows Asian Games gold medalists to fulfill their service obligation through alternative duty. At the previous Hangzhou Asian Games, Im Sung-jae and Kim Si-woo received the same benefit through the team event title. Kim will now be able to continue his PGA Tour career without interruption.

Kim had flown to Japan after earning the most points of any player on either side — four wins — at the 2026 Presidents Cup at Medinah Country Club near Chicago the previous week. Despite the time difference and the long-haul travel, he shot 67-66-65-64 across the four rounds, shaving one stroke off his score each successive day.

Ahead of the Asian Games, The Associated Press reported that "a career interruption of more than 18 months for military service could be devastating for a global star with four PGA Tour wins," adding that Kim had arrived in Japan carrying heavier pressure than at any other tournament in order to protect the momentum of his career.

The South Korean men's team, however, had to settle for silver after being overtaken by China in the final round of the team event. China shot 10 under on the last day to finish at 28 under par and claim gold, while South Korea finished two strokes back at 26 under for silver and host Japan took bronze at 23 under.

Kim's brilliant four-round total of 18 under drove the individual title, but the team's other members struggled. Captain Moon Do-yeop finished tied for eighth at 8-under 272, while Kim Sung-hyun placed tied for 24th at 1-over 281. Both were particularly disappointing on the final day, with Moon carding even par and Kim shooting 3 over.

The South Korean women's team failed to win a medal for the first time in the country's Asian Games history. Yang Yun-seo, who had been targeting individual gold, finished fourth at 7-under 271. Park Seo-jin placed tied for 15th and Kim Gyu-bin tied for 21st.

The women's team also finished tied for fourth, ending at 7 under par alongside Thailand — behind Singapore, China and India. It marked the first time South Korea's women's golf team had failed to medal in the team event since the sport was added to the Asian Games program at the 1990 Beijing Games.