Numerous have noted the emphasis on Dye, and a few have pointed out that the panel for this exercise was comprised entirely of member of various architect organizations. I'm curious if courses that involved more "oomph" gathered more praise BECAUSE of the emphasized role of the architect. I'm thinking of examples like Whistling Straits and PDGC, where a heavy hand was necessary for such a project. Granted, any self-respecting ranking of courses could not cast out "minimalist" efforts entirely, but they may shade toward land-movers nonetheless.
Another theory, at least on the American side of things, is that few architects have had more direct involvement in the creation of other standalone architects than Dye, and there's a deference there as well. I know the Coores and Doaks aren't members of the ASGCA but I'm sure at least a few of his former employees took part in this exercise.