LPGA: Home sweet home away from home

CARLSBAD, Calif. -- In-Kyung Kim is a South Korean who for a time was a vagabond in the U.S., having lived in South Carolina, Maryland and Florida before moving to San Diego County in 2007 and finding a place with which she was comfortable.

She lived in the seaside community of Encinitas first, then bought a house in the upscale community of Rancho Santa Fe, where she lives on a golf course, Morgan Run Club & Resort. However, her home course here is La Costa Resort & Spa, site of this week's LPGA event, the Kia Classic Presented by J Golf.

Advantage Kim.

"I know the wind direction," she said following a second consecutive round of three-under par 69 on Friday to move into contention in her bid for a third victory on the LPGA. "Everybody can see it, but I played here before, so I know exactly how much. It gets strong in the afternoon.

"Last year, I played the Samsung (at Torrey Pines) but I hardly go to Torrey Pines and play. I didn't feel much advantage. But I play here a lot, more than any other course in San Diego, so I think that gives me an advantage, knowing the course."

Kim is a former U.S. Girls' Junior champion, who came to the states to attend a golf school in South Carolina. She was unhappy there, so moved to Maryland and stayed with friends. From there, she went to Florida and lived alone. "I didn't like being by myself," she said, "so I came here. My family's friends live here and they look after me. I love it here."

-- John Strege