Kim Joo-hyung traveled to Japan for the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games immediately after his impressive performance at the Presidents Cup, where he aims to win his first Asian Games gold medal.
On September 28, Korean time, Kim competed as part of the International Team at the Presidents Cup held at Medinah Country Club in Chicago, Illinois, finishing with a record of 4 wins and 1 loss. Notably, in the final day’s singles match play, he defeated Wyndham Clark, the US Open champion, by three holes.
Among the 24 players from both teams, Kim was the only one to earn 4 points. This marks the first time since 2015 that an International Team player has achieved 4 points in a single event. He was scheduled early on the final day to accommodate his travel to Japan before the winning team was determined.
The golf events at the Asian Games will take place from September 30 to October 3 at the East Course of Kasugai Country Club in Aichi Prefecture, with four gold medals up for grabs in individual and team competitions.
The South Korean men's golf team, consisting of Kim Joo-hyung, Kim Sung-hyun, and Moon Do-yeop, is seeking to defend their title after winning the team event at the 2022 Hangzhou Games.
In the individual competition, they aim for the gold medal for the first time since Kim Min-hwi won at the 2010 Guangzhou Games. Kim Joo-hyung missed the Hangzhou Games and finished eighth at the 2024 Paris Olympics, which left him disappointed.
A significant challenge will be adjusting to the time difference and managing fatigue. After completing five sessions over four days in the U.S., Kim will head straight to Japan to compete in 72 holes of stroke play, facing unfamiliar course conditions.
Despite the demanding schedule, Kim's determination is strong. He expressed, "It is always an honor to have the opportunity to represent something greater than myself. Whether playing for the International Team or the national team, it is a source of pride and gratitude to compete for something significant."
He added, "Personally, I am excited to return to Asia. It has been a long time since I visited, and I hope to spend a good week reconnecting with friends."
Kim will undergo acclimatization training on September 29 before starting competition on September 30.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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