Tom Kim plays his way to a military exemption, Austin Smotherman achieves a dream, and Brooks Koepka has life

Tom Kim is used to playing golf for millions of dollars and job security, and is pretty comfortable in that setting as a four-time PGA Tour winner, but none of it compares to the pressures he faced while competing in this past weekend's Asian Games in Japan.

To leave America and golf behind and return to South Korea to serve in the military for over a year, or not — those were the stakes for the 24-year-old. Golf is already difficult enough, but adding the pressure of a legitimately life-altering situation seems downright crippling; Kim thrived under the wildly unique circumstances, and a text message from Tiger Woods may have played a tiny role in it all.

In Utah, the FedEx Cup Fall got back underway on the PGA Tour. It was already a milestone week for Austin Smotherman, but it turned into a career-altering one when it was all said and done on Sunday. Meanwhile, the DP World Tour played host to the always awesome Alfred Dunhill Links, and the consistently strong field featured Brooks Koepka, who may just have needed a few walks around some of the best courses on Earth to get his confidence back.

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Under South Korean law, most able-bodied men must serve 18 to 21 months of military service. Special exemptions, however, are granted for both athletes and classical artists who excel in international competitions. Athletes can receive exemptions by earning any medal at the Olympics or a gold medal at the Asian Games.

Kim, born in Seoul, South Korea, would likely have had an opportunity in the 2028 Olympics to earn a medal and receive his military exemption, but why wait four years when an opportunity presented itself?

Kim entered the Asian Games in great form, fresh off being the leading points earner for his International side in the Presidents Cup, and he was able to ride the momentum into grabbing a one-shot lead heading into the final round in Japan. A one-shot cushion certainly eases things, but the pressures of a military exemption on the line, having to go out and perform across 18 holes, makes that cushion feel minuscule.

Prior to teeing it up in what will, in all likelihood, be the most important round of golf he ever plays in, Kim received a text message from none other than Tiger Woods.

"Just be you. Nothing more, nothing less," the message from Woods said, according to Koreas Yonhap News Agency. It's safe to say that the short and sweet message from the big cat made an impact.

Kim went out and carded four birdies in his opening eight holes in the final round before making an eagle on the 13th to really grab hold of the moment. He ultimately carded a final-round 64 to earn a three-shot victory and the gold medal, and you could practically see the relief leave his body after he finished his final hole.

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Given the wildly unique circumstances, it's impossible to even begin to imagine the pressure Kim must have felt throughout the week.