"Just think of NBC’s full-sepia treatment as Lindsey Vonn zoomed past the finish line and into the arms of her ear-muffed boyfriend, Tiger Woods."

As a big fan of the Winter Olympics and NBC's coverage, the news of Lindsey Vonn's absence is a bummer.

However, after this NY Times unbylined item on stars to watch in the post-Lindsey era, I'm not feeling as sad about her absence.

Admit it: You were dying to watch that 17-day made-for-TV “Lindsey & Tiger” special otherwise known as the Sochi Winter Olympics. Just think of NBC’s full-sepia treatment as Lindsey Vonn zoomed past the finish line and into the arms of her ear-muffed boyfriend, Tiger Woods.

Faster. Higher. Stronger. Cheesier.

It was too good to be true. Vonn announced Tuesday that a knee injury would prevent her from competing in Sochi. Whom should we watch now?

Hey, and even better news, this allows Tiger to play Riviera in the Northern Trust Open!

Writers Declare Graeme McDowell The Human-Golfer They'd Most Like To Have Speaking Into A Tape Recorder

Okay, maybe not replicate, but any golfer who has to answer more questions about Rory McIlroy than his own world class game, deserved some sort of award.

Unfortunately, the reward is a ticket to the GWAA dinner in April. But at least it's named after the great Jim Murray.