S.H. Kim Faces Mandatory Military Service After Valero Texas Open

The final chance to qualify for the Masters could be Kim's last PGA Tour event before returning to South Korea.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 11:04pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a golfer's swing broken down into overlapping planes of muted green, brown, and gray tones, conveying the disruption and uncertainty facing South Korean golfers facing mandatory military service.The looming military service requirement for young South Korean golfers like S.H. Kim threatens to disrupt their PGA Tour careers, forcing them to make difficult choices.San Antonio Today

S.H. Kim, a 27-year-old South Korean golfer, is facing mandatory military service after the Valero Texas Open, the last chance to qualify for the Masters. Kim has been given a 90-day travel extension at the start of the year, but that expires after the Texas Open on April 2-5. He plans to play until then, but his future on the PGA Tour is uncertain after that, as he will have to return to South Korea for his military service.

Why it matters

Mandatory military service is a common requirement for young South Korean men, but it can significantly disrupt the careers of professional athletes. Several South Korean golfers, including Sangmoon Bae and Seung-yul Noh, have struggled to regain their form after returning from military service. The PGA Tour is working on a plan to help Kim continue playing on the Korea PGA circuit during his service, but his path back to the PGA Tour remains uncertain.

The details

Kim, who turns 28 in September, finished eighth on the Korn Ferry Tour points list in 2025 to earn his PGA Tour card for the second time. However, his mandatory military service in South Korea is looming, and he was given a 90-day travel extension at the start of the year. That gives him until the Valero Texas Open on April 2-5 before the extension expires. Kim has played every week he has been eligible, with his best results being a tie for 13th in the Sony Open and a tie for 18th at The American Express.

  • Kim's 90-day travel extension expires after the Valero Texas Open on April 2-5, 2026.
  • The Asian Games, where gold medal winners are exempt from military service, are held every four years.

The players

S.H. Kim

A 27-year-old South Korean golfer who earned his PGA Tour card for the second time in 2025, but is facing mandatory military service in South Korea.

Sangmoon Bae

A South Korean golfer who went from the Presidents Cup in 2015 to military service, and has not been the same since his return.

Seung-yul Noh

A South Korean golfer whose return from military service coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, making his transition back to the PGA Tour difficult.

Tom Kim

A South Korean golfer who was crushed after falling four shots short of a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, which would have exempted him from military service.

Sungjae Im

A South Korean golfer who competed in the 2023 Asian Games, where the team won the gold medal by 25 shots.

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What they’re saying

“I'm playing until Valero. Anything after that is a lot of factors going into play. I might come back again this year. First I have to go back to Korea.”

— S.H. Kim

“I was still scared as (expletive).”

— Si Woo Kim

What’s next

The PGA Tour is working on a plan to help S.H. Kim get a medical extension and continue playing on the Korea PGA circuit during his military service, in order to keep him sharp for the Asian Games in late September, where a gold medal would exempt him from military duty.

The takeaway

The impending military service of young South Korean golfers like S.H. Kim highlights the challenges these athletes face in maintaining their careers on the PGA Tour. The PGA Tour's efforts to support Kim and others in this situation could set a precedent for how to handle mandatory military service requirements for international players.