Having stayed on site some 20 years ago and played a couple of rounds, I was very impressed with the changes to the greens when I attended the tournament Saturday. The course sits in a very low area and likely stays relatively wet - it wasn't designed for the ground game but I hope you had the opportunity to witness the amateur Tavatanakit's long-iron from the left rough on the 12th hole Sunday. It landed 40 yards short of the green and took the giant left-hand turn on the green, winding up a few inches from the cup. Besides, why must all course embrace the ground game? Do Pine Valley and Cypress Point Club?
The original design is not without criticism. Nicklaus' use of water on three of the par fives - notably the 11th and 17th and two of the one-shotters, both playing significantly downhill is perhaps a little two liberal. The 9th and 18th, also watered around the green are perhaps the weakest holes there, though give Jack some credit for requiring a big draw off the 9th tee. Also, the landing area for the second shot / lay-up on the 17th is far too narrow - perhaps the USGA's fault.
My only negative comment is the re-bunkering of the par five 3rd which previously created somewhat of a double-dogleg if the player was satisfied with avoiding the bunkers and playing the hole as a three-shotter, but which could also be reached in two if one took a straight line and challenged the left-hand bunker from the tee and then the long right-hand bunker near the green.
The rounded edges and occasional amoeba features of the greens have been replaced by a more squared look generally, and the 4th green, likely 10,000 sf is outstanding with four greens within a green with a false front that befuddled at least one out of every three players in the 3 hours I sat there. The 5th is likewise improved as the green on that par three sweeps up the hill at an angle from the fronting pond and is squared off at the back and along the right. The 18th green is a significant improvement from what I recall being a cloverleaf with a deep depression running through it. As you saw Sunday, it protected par well and was outcome determinative. Generally the greens were quite elastic and often angled to create an advantage for those approaching down their length.
I thought there was plenty of strategy from the tee. From the elevated 14th tee it is very hard to pick the right line as you saw many players missing just right. A significant advantage was also gained at the par 5 sixth if one flirted with the trees and creek right off the tee. That line took the centerline tree out of play on the second shot and opened the opportunity to reach the green in two (unless you're Lexi Thompson and can just blow a long iron right over the top of the tree).
I see where the course is ranked 73rd on Golfweek's Modern list. I can't argue with that, but just to stir things up, among the courses I've played I'd be reluctant to subordinate it to the likes of Kinloch (16), Spyglass (27), Sweeten's Cove (50), Olde Farm (53), The Rim (70), Desert Forest (44) and Grandfather Mountain (71).
BTW, the play was brilliant and incredibly slow-paced. The ladies mark absolutely everything and Danielle Kang will stand over a three-foot putt until you have a birthday.
Mike