Lance -
Yes, the area short right of 17 is at fairway height including around the bunkers, probably within 25 yard short of the green. (there is not gallery allowed on the right side of 17 and left of 18 tee).
Love it or not, I think Mike Davis has set the hole up for risk / reward, with the risk not being a penalty, like a lake or hazard but leaving a shot the requires a tremendous amount of skill to recover from (and with a chance to make a birdie if the golfer went for the green in two).
The hole is 522 yards and the safe play is to make a 3-shot hole. The rough is not gnarly enough where it won't prevent the golfer from hitting a second shot that leaves the 3rd shot anywhere from 75-125 yards, a shot that the golfers at this level should not have a problem with.
Mike