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He certainly has enjoyed his share of success on the links layout.
Burger, an Orangeburg native entering his senior year at Clemson, fired a second-round 71 on Tuesday to qualify for the U.S. Amateur, which will be held in Erin Hills, Wis., at the end of August. He shared medalist honors at 146 with Charleston native and Duke golfer Austin Cody and Lake City's Tripp McAllister. Jay Degenhart earned the fourth and final berth with a birdie on the first playoff hole.
Burger has qualified for the U.S. Amateur three times on the Dye layout. He also emerged from a U.S. Open local qualifier on the course.
"I love this golf course," Burger said of the 7,200-yard track. "It sets up well for me."
Cody's chances looked slim after he made the turn at 6-over par for the tournament, but he made six birdies on the back nine to punch his ticket. Earlier this year, Cody won the prestigious Rice Planters Amateur in his native Charleston. He said the victory gave him confidence entering the rest of his summer schedule.
Cody made birdies on Nos. 10, 11 and 12 and fired off another string on 15, 16 and 17. Two bogeys kept him from solo medalist honors.
"I knew I had to shoot something under par to have any kind of chance," said Cody, whose 2-under 70 on Tuesday was the best round of the tournament. "I had a pretty good summer coming in. I knew eventually the putts would have to go in."
McAllister, who led after the first round, wanted only to make pars on the final day. The course, set up especially difficult for the sectional qualifier, earned rave reviews for its toughness. And McAllister, set to graduate from Coastal Carolina in December, wanted no part.
But after a bumpy start, including a double bogey at No. 4, McAllister changed his mind-set.
"It kind of went from trying to make pars to trying to make something happen there," he said.
McAllister made birdie at No. 12, and his birdie at the par-5 16th briefly put him back in the lead. Knowing a qualifying spot was all but secure, he played the finishing hole conservatively, laying up on the par 4 and making bogey.
McAllister had previously qualified for a U.S. Junior, but will make his first appearance at a U.S. Amateur.
Degenhart also earned his first trip. His drive on the first playoff hole left him with an awkward lie in a fairway bunker, forcing him to stand in the trap and hack out with a pitching wedge. Degenhart's approach stopped 15 feet behind the hole, and he drained the putt to grab the spot from Jarryd Dillas.
"I knew the way I had been putting, if I could get it up on the green, I would have a chance," said Degenhart, who is from Savannah.
Dillas will be the first alternate and John Varol the second alternate.
Degenhart also had kind words for the course, which will play host to the S.C. Golf Association Amateur Championship on Aug. 4-7. McAllister, Cody and Burger are among those planning to return for the event.
"I cant wait to play it," Cody said. "The scores are going to be high. You've just got to hang around there and shoot even par."
U.S. Amateur Sectional Qualifying
Final round, Tuesday at Colleton River Plantation, Dye Course; Par 72; 7,270 yards
Qualifiers
Tripp McAllister 71-75--146
Austin Cody 76-70--146
Jacob Burger 75-71--146
Jay Degenhart 74-73--147 (won first playoff hole)
First alternate
Jarryd Dillas 74-73--147
Second alternate
John Varol 72-76--148
Failed to qualify
Dykes Harbin 75-73--148
Lee Palms 73-76--149
Jack Hall 75-74--149
Clint Tolleson 76-73--149
John Patterson 76-74--150
Justin Hoft 76-74--150
John Skeadas 73-77--150
Rob Simmons 77-73--150
Scott Melton 76-75--151
Jason Cohan 79-72--151
Matthew Molloy 73-78--151
Cary Phillips 76-75--151
Damon Postal 75-76--151
Daniel Mobley 75-76--151
Jones Brown 73-78--151
Brandon Truesdale 74-77--151
Clark Palmer 74-78--152
Austin Parks 76-77--153
McCuen Elmore 77-76--153
Jon Weiss 76-78--154
Coley Davis 75-79--154
Parker Allen 79-75--154
Layton Truax 78-76--154
David Dannelly 78-76--154
Matthew Laydon 76-78--154
Fredric Nordhoff 79-76--155
Colby Averitte 75-80--155
Austin Frick 78-77--155
Aaron Monson 78-77--155
Casey O'Toole 77-78--155
Camiko Smith 73-82--155
Brian Langley 78-77--155
Michael Grabowski 79-77--156
Matthew Faulkner 77-79--156
Tate Hoisington 76-80--156
Daniel Stanley 78-79--157
Drew Aimone 75-82--157
Brad Sill 78-80--158
Samuel Odi 79-79--158
Justin Olds 78-81--159
Ryan Lynch 78-82--160
Alan King 79-81--160
John Michael Cole 78-82--160
Christopher Faulkner 76-85--161
Jesse Key 77-85--162
Scott McCoy 79-84--163
