Scottie Scheffler Won Golf’s Olympic Gold & Consoled His Buddy Tom Kim, Who Missed Chance For Military Service Exemption

Matt Fitzgerald·
CULTURESPORTS
·
Scottie Scheffler
BBC

Thanks to a spectacular meltdown by Jon Rahm, who blew a four-shot lead on the back nine, and a 6-under surge on his last nine to card a 9-under final round of 62, Scottie Scheffler punctuated his epic season with an Olympic gold medal on Sunday.

If there’s a public figure more comfortable in his own skin on this planet than Scheffler is, I’m sure I don’t know who it is. He’s a man of God who seems to have this perspective on life that makes golf a priority, but not a life-or-death big deal. Somehow, Scottie seems immune to scrutiny and pressure, like his occasional putting woes are more of a temporary nuisance than something that haunts his waking existence.

When you have that attitude, combined with Scheffler’s GOAT-caliber ball-striking, how can you lose? This birdie putt on the 17th hole proved to be the difference — his fourth birdie in a row — to reach 19 under overall, ultimately one shot clear of England’s Tommy Fleetwood.

Bigger-picture takeaway, though: Scheffler’s unique perspective allows him to have a certain awareness and conscientious nature that not many other golfers would have in a similar position. Playing alongside one of his best friends, Tom Kim, carried with it some added significance.

Even after it seemed like he’d done enough to at least ensure a playoff with eventual silver medalist Fleetwood, Scottie had the presence of mind to comfort Kim, whose round fizzled a bit after a 4-under 32 on the opening nine. A double bogey at the last added to the sting of missing out on the podium, which would’ve exempted Kim from South Korea’s mandatory military service.

Now here’s the thing for Kim. He needs to win a medal at either the Olympics or the Asian Games to be exempt from military service. It’s possible that a major championship could get the job done, too, but that’s unconfirmed at this time. Y.E. Yang was the only Korean to ever win a major at the 2009 PGA Championship during a memorable duel with Tiger Woods, but Yang had already completed his military service well before then.

In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Asian Games — also held every four years — allowed professionals to tee it up. They’d only permitted amateurs prior to then. It’s unclear if that’ll continue in 2026.

Time will tell if a major win counts for Kim to get out of military service. Burning two years of one’s prime to serve certainly isn’t ideal. Kim is one of the most electrifying young talents in golf. By the time the 2028 Summer Olympics roll around in Los Angeles, he’ll be 26. Korean men must enlist by 28 years of age.

Can’t help but think about how military service in the USA is totally voluntary. Granted, our nation covers so much more territory than other countries so as to afford that relative luxury, but still, it only heightens one’s respect for those who serve. Or at least it should.

Anyway, on the topic of America, let’s celebrate Scottie’s gold with some good memes and statistical context to send us out on a high note. Yup, there’ll be some jail jokes.

A beer bottle on a dock

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