LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Padraig Harrington took a couple of practice swings, backed up a few steps, then ran at the ball and took his best Happy Gilmore swing.

The ball landed out of bounds, but it didn’t matter. The fans gathered around the 10th tee at Valhalla Golf Club loved it.

As part of this year’s PGA Championship, the PGA of America brought back the long drive competition for the first time since 1984 at Shoal Creek. Before that, it had been a staple of the event, beginning in 1952 and running through 1964 until returning in 1974 and then once more a decade later.

LONGEST DRIVE CONTEST: Results from the PGA Championship's official site

Using an 11-degree persimmon driver and wound balata ball, Jack Nicklaus won the competition in 1963 and ’64. He still carries the money clip he got for that first victory and 343-yard drive more than 50 years ago.

“I thought it was exciting -- I thought it was fun to do,” said Nicklaus. “You would go out, warm-up, you played your last practice round. It was a great gallery favorite.”

Not every player at this year’s PGA Championship was excited.

Bubba Watson wasn’t interested in taking part and hit 3-iron off the tee as he was introduced during his practice round.

“I want to practice the game of golf,” Watson said. “I want to learn this golf course. I haven't seen the 10th hole. I don't see that we should have a competition like that while we're playing a practice round and learning the golf course, trying to win a great championship. There's no reason to make something up in the middle of the practice round like that.

“But I hit my 3-iron perfect, though, right down the middle. Longest 3-iron of the day. I won that competition, take that.”

Watson added that he will hit driver off the 590-yard par 5 during the tournament and that he was just trying to “prove a point.”

Most players, however, seemed to enjoy it.

Phil Mickelson and Rickie Fowler teamed up to take on playing partners Keegan Bradley and Brendan Steele. Bradley blasted one 326 yards, only to be outdone by Fowler by two yards.

“I thought it was a great addition,” Mickelson said. “We all loved it. We all had fun with it. I hope they keep doing it.”

Adam Scott went off No. 10 at 7 a.m. Tuesday in what was his first hole of the day. Still, he didn’t mind the competition either.

Scott launched one 320 yards down the middle of the fairway, good enough for first place for a while.

Gary Woodland would soon pass him, and everyone else, before Jason Day uncorked a 338-yard drive. Louis Oosthuizen followed after that with a 340-yard drive to take the lead late in the day.

“I think it's good,” Scott said. “I think it will probably be fun for everyone to kind of have something to cheer for on a day like today.”