Tom Kim has emerged as one of the most important players for the International Team at the 2026 Presidents Cup, but despite his strong performance at Medinah Country Club, the South Korean star is facing an unusual situation that could see him leave the competition before it officially concludes.
Kim is not being removed from the Presidents Cup because of poor form, injury or a disciplinary issue. Instead, his early departure is connected to the 2026 Asian Games in Japan, where he has an opportunity to compete for a gold medal that could have a major impact on his future.
The timing has created a complicated situation for the International Team, particularly because the Presidents Cup has reached its most important stage.
TOM KIM HAS BEEN ONE OF THE INTERNATIONAL TEAM’S KEY PLAYERS
Kim entered the 2026 Presidents Cup with plenty of attention on him, having already established himself as one of the International side’s most recognizable players.
The 24-year-old was selected for the team after a remarkable turnaround in his season. The PGA Tour noted that Kim’s summer included a victory at the Scottish Open, helping him secure his place after his position on the squad had been in doubt earlier in the year.
His importance has only increased at Medinah.
By the end of Saturday’s action, Kim had won three of his four matches, making him one of the International team’s most successful players during the competition.
That makes his potential departure particularly significant.
The International Team entered Sunday with a 10½–7½ lead over the United States, meaning the team was just five points away from reaching the 15½ points required to win the Presidents Cup.
Kim was also scheduled to face U.S. Open champion Wyndham Clark in Sunday’s singles session, giving him another opportunity to contribute to the International team’s attempt to win the Presidents Cup for the first time since 1998.
SO WHY DOES TOM KIM HAVE TO LEAVE?
The reason is the Asian Games.
The 2026 Asian Games begin in Japan on Wednesday, and Kim is one of three South Korean golfers selected to represent his country.
Unlike an ordinary tournament, the Asian Games carry enormous personal significance for Kim because of South Korea’s military-service requirements.
Under South Korean law, most able-bodied men are required to complete between 18 and 21 months of military service. There are, however, special exemptions for certain athletes who achieve significant international sporting success.
For athletes, an Olympic medal or a gold medal at the Asian Games can qualify them for an exemption.
That means the Asian Games represent far more than another golf tournament for Kim.
A gold medal could potentially allow him to avoid the mandatory military service that would otherwise affect his professional career.
THE TIMING COULD NOT BE MORE DIFFICULT
The biggest problem is that the Presidents Cup and Asian Games are taking place almost immediately after one another.
The Presidents Cup is being played from September 24 through September 27 at Medinah Country Club, while the Asian Games begin in Japan on Wednesday.
According to the Associated Press, two people involved with the International Team confirmed that Kim was expected to leave for Japan late Sunday afternoon.
Those individuals spoke anonymously because Kim himself had not publicly discussed the Asian Games situation.
So, rather than staying behind to potentially celebrate an International victory at Medinah, Kim is expected to begin preparing for another hugely important competition.
KIM’S PRESIDENTS CUP FORM MAKES THE SITUATION EVEN MORE INTERESTING
There is an element of frustration surrounding the timing simply because Kim has been performing well.
The International Team has struggled for decades to defeat the United States in this competition. Coming into 2026, the Americans had won the previous 10 Presidents Cups, making the International team’s strong position at Medinah particularly significant.
By Saturday evening, however, the Internationals had built a three-point advantage.
Kim played a part in that strong showing, winning three of his first four matches.
That means he is leaving just as the International Team has created one of its biggest opportunities in decades.
But the situation is not necessarily as simple as choosing one tournament over another.
The Asian Games opportunity could have consequences for Kim’s professional career that extend far beyond the final result at Medinah.
THE MILITARY-SERVICE ISSUE CHANGES EVERYTHING
For many international golfers, leaving a major team competition before its conclusion would be difficult to understand.
For Kim, however, the circumstances are very different.
A successful Asian Games campaign could potentially save him from having to step away from professional golf for an extended period to complete military service.
That could be extremely important for a golfer who is only 24 and whose career is developing rapidly.
Kim was ranked No. 144 in the world when he was selected for the South Korean Asian Games team. Since then, he has won the Scottish Open, finished third at the U.S. Open and climbed to No. 31 in the world, according to the Associated Press.
His rise means that an interruption at this point in his career could carry significant sporting consequences.
The Asian Games therefore provide him with an opportunity that cannot easily be replicated.
HE ALREADY EXPERIENCED OLYMPIC HEARTBREAK
Kim’s connection with major international competition is also important.
At the Paris Olympics in 2024, Kim came close to winning a medal.
He began the final round four shots behind the leader and finished with a 68, but ultimately missed the bronze medal by four shots. The Associated Press reported that Kim was emotional following the result.
That experience could make his upcoming Asian Games appearance even more meaningful.
Instead of simply competing for another trophy, Kim now has an opportunity to represent South Korea again while potentially securing an exemption from military service.
THE INTERNATIONAL TEAM WILL HAVE TO MOVE ON WITHOUT HIM
The International Team cannot afford to focus solely on Kim’s departure.
With the team holding a 10½–7½ advantage entering Sunday, there are still 12 singles matches worth 12 points.
The United States only needs eight points to reach 15½ and retain the Presidents Cup, while the Internationals need five points to secure victory.
Kim’s absence would therefore remove an important player from the equation, but the team still has several other players capable of contributing.
The International side includes players such as Corey Conners, Hideki Matsuyama, Adam Scott, Min Woo Lee, Sungjae Im, Si Woo Kim and Ryan Fox.
The team will have to finish the job collectively.
THIS IS NOT A SUSPENSION OR PUNISHMENT
One important point should be made clear: Tom Kim has not been forced out of the Presidents Cup because of misconduct, a rules violation or poor performance.
The situation is connected to his schedule and his participation in the Asian Games.
Reports indicate that Kim is expected to play his scheduled singles match against Wyndham Clark before departing for Japan.
Therefore, describing the situation as Kim being “forced out” is better understood as him being forced to leave the Presidents Cup before the event’s final conclusion, rather than being expelled from the competition.
A POTENTIAL PRESIDENTS CUP VICTORY COULD HAPPEN WITHOUT HIM
The most dramatic possibility is that the International Team could finally end the United States’ long period of dominance — and Kim might not be there for the final celebrations.
The International Team has not won the Presidents Cup since 1998.
It has also never won the competition on American soil.
Entering Sunday, however, the team held a three-point advantage at Medinah, putting it in a position to potentially make history.
Kim has already made a major contribution toward putting the team in that position.
But while his teammates continue the fight at Medinah, his attention will soon turn toward Japan.
TOM KIM’S DECISION IS ABOUT MORE THAN ONE TROPHY
The unusual circumstances surrounding Kim’s departure demonstrate just how complicated professional golf can become when national sporting commitments and personal obligations overlap.
For the International Team, the timing is undoubtedly unusual.
For Kim, however, the Asian Games could have long-term implications for his career.
A gold medal could potentially provide the military-service exemption that South Korean athletes seek through major international sporting achievements.
That makes the next few weeks potentially much bigger than the Presidents Cup alone.
Kim has already played a major role at Medinah, winning three of four matches and helping the International Team establish its three-point lead.
Now, he must turn his attention to Japan.
And while the Presidents Cup could potentially end without him watching the final moments, Kim will have another chance to make history — this time representing South Korea at the Asian Games.
For Tom Kim, leaving the Presidents Cup early isn’t about walking away from the competition. It’s about chasing an opportunity that could shape the next several years of his professional career.
