Brad,
Just did a quick search . . . they shortened the course from 7,514 yards to 7,369. Not a huge difference. On Friday, they went all the way back. A quick scans of the scores shows a definite higher scoring average but certainly not the trainwreck everyone was predicting (probably because the winds never showed up).
My point is that the pros prior to the tournament always seem to envision the absolute worst case scenario. At Carnoustie and, for a day at Bethpage, they got it. But typically they bitch and moan that the winning score will be 10 over and then someone goes out and breaks par. Perhaps they have learned that constant complaining can change the setup. I think it all comes back to this coached positive outlook about their own games. In other words, their 80 is never bacause they played like ass but instead is a result of bad hole locations, inferior equipment, nagging back injury, etc.