Ryo Hisatsune vs. Andrew Novak

Andrew Novak has attracted attention this year as one of the more compelling ball-strikers outside the top tier, generating quality approach numbers and finding fairways at a rate that should translate to Shinnecock Hills. The issue is that Novak's short game and putting have been inconsistent enough to prevent his ball-striking from converting into scores, and at Shinnecock, where championship greens in wind demand confident putting and creative chipping from firm lies, those weaknesses are amplified rather than masked. Ryo Hisatsune brings a more complete package to this week. The Japanese golfer has demonstrated the ability to score across varying course types, and his around-the-green execution gives him a meaningful edge at a venue where the chipping and putting game is tested as rigorously as the long game. At essentially even money, the more complete player wins the comparison. Hisatsune is the call.