2015 U.S. Open Sectional Qualifying

Casey Martin plays his tee shot on the first hole during 2015 U.S. Open Sectional Qualifying at Tumble Creek Club in Cle Elum, Wash. on Monday, June 8, 2015.

(Photo by Steven Gibbons/Courtesy USGA)

Casey Martin, trying to recreate his U.S. Open qualifying magic from three years ago, put himself in good position during a roller-coaster morning round Monday.

Playing in a 36-hole sectional qualifier in Cle Elum, Washington, the University of Oregon coach shot an even-par 70 in his first 18 holes. With most of the 49-player field having finished their morning rounds, Martin was tied for sixth place.

The top three finishers earn a spot in next week's U.S. Open at Chambers Bay Golf Course in University Place, Washington, near Tacoma. It will be the first U.S. Open played in the Pacific Northwest.

Martin, a former PGA Tour golfer, mixed five birdies with five bogeys. He was 2 under through 11 holes, but went through a stretch in which he made two bogeys followed by two birdies, followed by two more bogeys.

Donald Constable shot the low score of the morning, a 4-under 66. Former Oregon State golfer Nick Sherwood, playing as a professional, shot 71 in his first 18. One of Martin's Oregon golfers, Sulman Raza, shot a 72 in his morning round.

In 2012, Martin made a surprising rush to a U.S. Open berth, winning a sectional qualifier at Emerald Valley in Creswell. That earned Martin a spot in the U.S. Open played at San Francisco's Olympic Club, where he had competed in the championship 14 years earlier.

Martin, who turned 43 last week, reached sectionals by tying for second last month in a local qualifier at Eugene Country Club, where he birdied the 18th hole.

Check the comments section below on Martin's progress through his second 18.

-- Mike Tokito

mtokito@oregonian.com

503-294-7604; @mtokito