Having wrapped up the Presidents Cup, Kim Joo-hyung headed straight to Nagoya, Japan, where the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games are taking place, without even a moment to catch his breath.

Kim finished his schedule for the final day of the tournament held at the Media Country Club's Course No. 3 (par 70) in Chicago, Illinois, today (September 28) and left the venue even before the winning team was decided.

According to U.S. NBC Sports, Kim was scheduled to board a Chicago-to-Japan flight on Sunday local time to compete in the Asian Games, and was placed in the second singles match to ensure he could catch this flight.

The media outlet reported, "Even if the International Team wins, Kim was in a situation where he could not join the celebration," adding, "The Asian Games is a crucial stage that offers exemptions from South Korea's military service obligations, making it an event Kim simply cannot give up."

Kim stated on September 28, "It is an honor to get the opportunity to represent something greater than myself," adding, "Whether it is the International Team or my country, playing for something larger than an individual is something to be grateful for."

He also shared his thoughts ahead of the Asian Games, saying, "It has been a really long time since I went to the Asian stage," and "I am going back home to meet friends and spend a good week."

Kim is scheduled to arrive in Japan today, have a light training session locally on September 29, and compete in the Asian Games men's golf event, which runs from September 30 to October 3 at the East Course of the Kasugai Country Club in Aichi Prefecture.

Kim must overcome extreme fatigue, jet lag, and an unfamiliar course environment.

A gold medal in this tournament is desperate for Kim.

Having not yet fulfilled his military service obligations, Kim must secure a gold medal to continue his career on the PGA Tour without setbacks.

He missed the chance to compete in the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games, where military service benefits were on the line, and shed tears after finishing eighth at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

However, even if Kim fails to win a gold medal at this tournament, he still has a chance to compete in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

An even more desperate player than Kim is Kim Sung-hyun.

Kim Sung-hyun, who had been active on the PGA Tour, failed to receive an extension on his departure permit due to military service obligations and returned to Korea last April on medical leave.

If he fails to win a gold medal at this tournament, he faces immediate enlistment to fulfill his military service obligations.

Moon Do-yeob enters this tournament with a light heart as he has already completed his military service.

Notable competitors include Keita Nakajima (Japan), who tied for third at the PGA Tour's Genesis Scottish Open, Kazuki Higa (Japan), the 2025 Asian Tour money list leader, Miguel Tabuena (Philippines) of LIV Golf, and Sadom Kaewkanjana (Thailand), the 2025 season Korea Open champion.

In the women's division, three amateur players will compete: Park Seo-jin (Seomun Girls' High School), Kim Gyu-bin (Haksan Girls' High School), and Yang Yoon-seo (Incheon Girls' Correspondence High School).

The women's event will feature a large contingent of prominent players, including Yin Ruoning and Liu Yan (both from China), and Arpichaya Yubol (Thailand), who compete on the LPGA Tour, as well as former world number one Yani Tseng (Taiwan).

Asian Games golf is played in a 72-hole stroke play format, with a total of four gold medals up for grabs across the men's and women's individual and team events.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)