No Phil, No Tiger: 2017 marks end of incredible 24-year run at U.S. Open

On June 17, 1993, a field of 156 players not named Tiger Woods or Phil Mickelson teed off at Baltusrol Golf Club for the 93rd U.S. Open.

In light of Mickelson's decision to skip the 2017 event for his daughter's high school graduation, Thursday at Erin Hills will mark the first time since that date that neither of the legendary players are in the field.

It was a remarkable 24-year run for the two best golfers in the world, and as the streak comes to an end, it's important to look back on the impact Tiger and Phil have had on the event.

Just how long ago was 1993? Here's what was happening the last time neither player teed it up at the season's second major:

• Jordan Spieth, who won the U.S. Open in 2015, wasn't born yet.
• "I Will Always Love You" by Whitney Houston and "Whoomp! (There It Is)" by Tag Team were the top songs on the Billboard 100.
• "Jurassic Park" was the top grossing film of the year with an incredible $914,691,118.
• Michael Jordan announced his first retirement from basketball.
• Bill Clinton began his first year as president.

Much like their entire careers, Woods' performance in the U.S. Open has certainly surpassed Mickelson's. Lefty's experience in the tournament has evolved into golf's ultimate "what if?" as the short-game wizard has an astonishing six 2nd-place finishes without ever winning the event. Three of Woods' remarkable 14 major championships have come at the U.S. Open, as well as two 2nd-place showings.

Here are the 3 most unforgettable moments from the two players in their 24-year run at the U.S. Open:

2000 - "We're not playing in the same ballpark"

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History says 156 players teed it up at the 2000 U.S. Open, but anybody not named Tiger Woods stood as much chance of claiming the trophy as any local weekend hacker. Following a sizzling 65 to open the tournament at Pebble Beach, Woods shot a 2-under 69 during treacherous conditions in Round 2 and opened an astonishing six-stroke lead.

An even-par 71 would stretch that lead to 10 strokes heading into the final round, but Woods wouldn't rest on his laurels with 18 holes to play. After opening with nine straight pars, he would shoot a 4-under 32 on the back nine and finish at 12-under par for the championship. His closest competition, Miguel Angel Jimenez and Ernie Els, finished an absurd 15 strokes behind. That margin of victory remains the largest in major championship history.

Els was effusive in his praise after the event, telling Golf Digest, "Whatever I say is going to be an understatement. It seems like we're not playing in the same ballpark right now."

2006 - "I am such an idiot"

While Mickelson has finished twice six times, only once has he stood at the 72nd hole with a lead. In 2006 at Winged Foot, holding a one-stroke advantage, he made the fateful decision to hit driver off the tee, and sent it sailing left into a hospitality tent. After his second shot struck a tree, Mickelson would find a greenside bunker and be faced with a fried-egg lie. Unable to find the green with his bunker shot, Mickelson would have to chip in just to force a playoff. He would be unable to do so and ended up with a double-bogey, handing the title to Geoff Ogilvy.

Following the event, Mickelson dropped the most memorable quote of his career: "I still am in shock that I did that, I just can't believe that I did that, I am such an idiot."

2008 - "Well, s---, he's making this"

Woods came to the 2008 U.S. Open with plenty of questions, as the 13-time major champion hadn't played since having knee surgery after The Masters to clean out cartilage.

Needing a birdie on the 18th hole to force a playoff with Rocco Mediate, Woods faced a difficult approach from the thick rough. He would hack a wedge up to the green, leaving himself 12 feet from the hole. With Mediate watching from the clubhouse, there was never a doubt in his mind whether the legend would drain the putt.

"Of course he is," Mediate told Ryan Asselta of Golf.com. "Anybody else out there, I got the trophy, guaranteed. But it wasn't. It was him. So I'm looking, going, 'Well, s---. He's making this.'"

Woods would eventually win in a playoff over Mediate, a feat made even more remarkable considering he would have reconstructive surgery to repair his ACL and a double stress fracture in his left tibia immediately after the event. He would miss the remainder of the 2008 season as a result, and hasn't won a major championship since.