TP, The word "sleeper" is an interesting choice. FLW was known to have stated how most people are asleep during their lives. Even if he only used the line, to pick-up ballerinas, there is some truth in it, from my experience. Heck, the awareness needed to golf optimally, is a rare quality. But a quality, that I think can be learned.
TOTB, In formulating some kind of generalization, I've found The BWT basically has two distinct categories or factions. Those who want to think out there, and those that don't.
The very firmness, of the canvas all week @ SHGC, seemed to call on the thought-maker, as well as the shot-maker. IMO there's no better justification for the bounce and roll.
Goosen showed, on just that one pitch, to the front of the green, on the front nine, that he was thinking out there. The significance of that process, was just as you predicted. Albeit, likely lost on those in constant REM.
If a 150 yard mis-lead, is going to get Toms to make a statement like that, only exemplifies which faction he fits.
The perfect swings, digitally manufactured, do little in the way of promoting creativity in the pro game. Look at the way the boys played number seven, off the tee. Not one (that I saw) played the tee shot on Sunday with any creativity. It seemed more like hit a high fade and hope. Maybe it's their aerial assualt designed weaponry? Or, that the course of golf over the last 70 years has promoted the slumber, Tom's apparent position, advocates.