The PGA Championship kicked off Monday morning with practice rounds.

Thousands of golf fans are converging on the world-famous Bethpage Black course on Long Island.

MORE: News 12 PGA Championship Guide

The biggest names in men's golf are on hand, including defending champ Brooks Koepka, fan favorite Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods.  Tournament rounds begin Thursday.

Rain fell Monday as some players began to practice for the PGA Championship.

The last major at Bethpage Black was the 2009 U.S. Open, which was so wet and sloppy that it took five days to get in 72 holes. It looked as though there might be a Tuesday playoff until Lucas Glover played a steady hand over the closing holes to win by two shots.

The first U.S. Open at Bethpage, in 2002, also was affected by weather. Tiger Woods built a big lead in the second round in rain. He completed his three-shot victory as darkness neared because of a 49-minute rain delay in the final round.

Woods has not played since winning the Masters last month for his 15th major. He began his Bethpage Black preparations last week.