I observe that because elite individual match play is so rare, any imperfections in any one iteration of it are heightened to one vocal minority or another. We only get a shot or two at this, so it's a bit more precious and scrutinized than if we had six to eight such events through the season.
I like that the powers that be are/were responsive to deficiencies (quick exits of Goliaths/absence of David narratives) in previous formats, yet mindful of the uncomplicated fan, who simply wants a greater volume of Top 64 golf to observe (and will watch a Paul Casey-Patrick Reed round robin elimination on Friday morning with equal zest for a DJ-Rose final on Sunday afternoon).
I think this round-robin preliminary is far better than having a medal qualifier, produces a volume of matches exhibiting more of the Top 64 field and still allows the players something close to their normal week of Tour play.
So sure, perhaps they can continue to tweak the groups, the nature of round robin scoring. perhaps explore a way for the "second" 64 to play their way in to the last 4 spots, etc, but this tournament is far more compelling (imo) than it was in Arizona in the 2007 - 2015 period, under a different tournament regime. Though I like Austin CC from afar, and even for the match-play purpose, I hope they are able to move it around in the future to other courses in a climate favorable to this late-March/early April position on the calendar.