I looked at Geoff S Cypress Point book, and yes, it does look like there were bunkers there originally, with a bit wider fw on either side. Trees looked similarly substantial in those old photos.
Geoff's caption reads, "The bunkers under the trees were designed for aesthetic and directional purposes, but are often mistakenly thought to have been placed merely to punish."
Hmm. It seems no matter what the intent there, they do punish! And, not sure how much aesthetics would need to be added on one of the worlds most beautiful natural holes. Lastly, the picture from the tee shows the green side bunkers very visible, but the original bunkers under the trees are just seen as "slivers" of sand, and the camera is elevated above the normal golfers eye level. They look puny compared to the backdrop and foreground, and even the trees themselves.
Between concept and details, perhaps this is not Mac's best moment? Of course, given everything, its probably the one place he could, as the thread title suggests, get a pass?