At the 2003 US Amateur, the ninth played as the par 4 for the first time in its championship history. It is my understanding that it was under consideration for the par 4 for the 1994 US Open, but, at the last minute, was allowed to remain as the par 5.
However, for the Amateur, which was held after the deforestation and added length to the 1st, 4th, 7th, 12th, 15th and 18th, the ninth became the par 4.
Now, there is virtually no break between holes 7-12.
Lastly, Okamont played a little more than a stroke harder than Winged Foot during stroke play for the Amateur, so, if that is any sort of indicator, perhaps someone taking 284 and staying in the clubhouse might not be such a bad deal.