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Golf returns to the Olympics, minus its best players

A year away from golf's return to the Olympics after a 112-year absence, IOC President Thomas Bach said it would be good if the sport had a wide range of players from as many countries as possible competing for medals.

And that's what it delivered — 41 countries in the men's and women's competition — an example of golf's global appeal.

But the story of celebrated return has become more about who's not playing.

Jordan Spieth will be watching from home, still wondering if he should have set aside his personal concerns and gone to Rio de Janeiro.