Did Ernie Els miss the easiest putt of all time?

Cape Town - South African golfing legend Ernie Els has grabbed international headlines after missing a putt from inside a foot.

Els, a four time major winner, was playing in the first round of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship when the unthinkable happened. He missed what most professional golfers would consider a "gimme" - a simple tap-in putt from a remarkably short distance.

The Telegraph said Els "misses the easiest putt of all time" while Golf Digest said he "just stroked the worst putt of all time".

An article on Bleacher Report hinted that foul play must not be ruled out saying "Bugs Bunny is under the green with a U-magnet. He's diverting the ball because he'd rather pull Jordan Spieth down the hole to play on his Looney Tunes scramble team, or something."

WATCH: Ernie misses the easiest putt of all time

Els managed to rebound and finish his opening round at Carnoustie on level par.