Also I didn't realize they were playing stroke play... .after 12 Nelson is 2 over par, Littler 8 over. Maybe it has been a while, but was it always stroke play? Weird format for a one on one match.
The format was always stroke play. Most Americans didn't know much about match play back then.
This presented a problem, because in the match they are showing, Littler made a much bigger number at the 5th hole -- I think it was an 11 -- after tangling with the trees on the right. The producers realized that would take most of the drama out of the match with their format, so they agreed that they should credit him a lower score for the hole. When they told the President of Pine Valley, John Arthur Brown, of their decision, he reportedly told them they could do anything they wanted for TV, but that none of them would ever be coming back to Pine Valley.
I always find this frustrating when 2 players separate themselves and announcers go for the itired cliche of "it's match play now"
No, it's not.
Different set of rules and in stroke play it's never over.
I can birdie the last two and you make 2 doubles.
In match play we don't even play those holes.
It's only match play on 18 if we're clear of the field and we're tied.
If I'm 4 behind and you knock it in the woods I'm not laying up on a hole I wouldn't otherise, but in match play I might.