Does Tom Kim have to serve in the military if he doesn’t win a medal at the Olympics? Everything you need to know 

Tom Kim is tied for fifth at the 2024 Olympics and is just three strokes behind the lead with 36 holes to go. For him, winning the gold medal at the 2024 Olympics is not just a matter of pride but also an opportunity to avoid mandatory military service for now.

Kim carded 68 with the help of three birdies and one eagle in the second round at Le Golf National. He also bogeyed two holes to aggregate at 8-under after 36 holes.

For those unaware, South Korea has had a conscription rule since 1957. This means all male citizens of the country between the ages of 18 and 35 are required to do military service for 18–21 months. Both Kim and Ben An haven't done military service as of now.

While An is 32 years old and has more to worry about, Kim, a decade younger, has much at stake given the performances he has achieved at such a young age. At 22, he has already won three titles, defended a title, and made a runner-up finish at the Open Championship.

The only way Tom Kim can delay obligatory military service is by winning a medal at the Olympics or the Asian Games. Last year, Si Woo Kim and Sung Jae Im were successful in postponing it by winning gold at the Asian Games. Kim couldn't be part of the team as his ranking was much lower.

In the past, the likes of K.J. Choi, Y.E. Yang, and Sang-Moon Bae have done military service. However, Bae was the worst affected by it, as he was not the same golfer after his return.

Ahead of the Olympics golf men's event, Tom Kim was asked about the military service rule.

"I think the easiest answer for us is here we're to play good this week." he said as per Golf.com. "We are not focused on that. We are here to represent our country and I want -- to be honest, I want me and Ben to be standing in that stadium not for exemption but for our country. That's the most important part.

"That's the pride of being a South Korean, we have our services and it is what it is. We are going to go throughout and we are going to play our best and I really hope he and I are standing on that podium," he added.

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When will Tom Kim resume playing at the 2024 Olympics on Saturday?

Tom Kim will tee off on Saturday, August 3 at 6:17 am ET al alongside Stephan Jaeger and Guido Migliozzi for the third round of the 2024 Olympics. Following the second round, he is tied with CT Pan and Thomas Detry at 8-under.

Tommy Fleetwood and Xander Scahuffele joined Hideki Matsuyama at the top of the leaderboard after the second round. While Fleetwood fired a low 7-under 64, Schauffele also carded 66. The Open Championship winner is looking to become the first golfer to win back-to-back gold medals this week.