Scottie Scheffler was seen consoling an emotional South Korean golf star who failed to win an Olympic medal that would have spared him military service on Sunday.
Tom Kim, 22, was seen crying in the Le Golf National clubhouse after his final round after missing out on a podium spot at this summer’s Olympic golf tournament.
Not only did he fail to win a medal, but Kim also failed to obtain exemption from mandatory military service in his native South Korea.
In South Korea, the law states that all men (unless exempt) must complete between 18 and 21 months of military service and must enlist before the age of 28.
Some men are granted exemptions for physical and mental health reasons, although it is not uncommon for wealthy families to send their children to foreign schools to obtain dual citizenship.
Scottie Scheffler was seen consoling an emotional South Korean golf star who failed to win an Olympic medal that would have spared him military service.
Another way to be exempt from mandatory military service in South Korea is to win an Olympic medal of any color or a gold medal at the Asian Games.
Kim could still avoid military service if he won gold at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan or any medal at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
However, after missing the chance to rule him out, the South Korean was visibly emotional both on the field and in the clubhouse.
Scheffler, currently world number one, claimed the gold medal after scoring a record 62 and beating Tommy Fleetwood.
And as he nervously waited to find out if his score was enough to claim gold, the two-time Masters champion was pictured consoling Kim after the devastating blow to his fellow PGA Tour star.
Fans were quick to praise Scheffler for her classy gesture as her own Olympic hopes hung in the balance.
One wrote: ‘Scottie is an amazing human being, he’s so classy.’
Another wrote: “Good friends. Keep your head up, Tom!”
Tom Kim (right) failed to make the podium at the Paris Games, meaning he only has two more chances to leave the military.
Kim was later seen crying in the clubhouse as she signed some golf balls with a pen.
Scheffler, meanwhile, produced a series of birdies late in the match that led to Olympic gold.
While a third commented: “Incredible humility from Scottie Scheffler – he pulls off a gold-winning final 9 but has the presence of mind to console his friend Tom Kim who misses out on a chance to avoid mandatory military service in Korea. Another iconic win for the number one.”
Kim finished eighth at the Paris Games, missing out on the bronze medal by four strokes.
Scheffler, meanwhile, produced a late run of birdies that catapulted him into first place after the 17th hole at Le Golf National.
Fleetwood was forced to settle for silver in France while Hideki Matsuyama completed the top three with the Japanese star shooting a final-round 65 to claim a bronze medal at 17-under.