Scotland’s Paul Lawrie is assured of returning to April’s U.S. Masters for a first time in eight years after defeating Japanese heart throb Ryo Ishikawa in the second round of the WGC – Accenture Match-Play Championship.

For a second day running Lawrie won his match 1up but on this occasion is was against a player 23 years his junior.

Lawrie travelled to Arizona on the back of a double Qatar Masters success that was the highpoint of an unpredented four top-10s in succession for the Scot.

Paul Lawrie now heading back to Augusta after defeating Ryo Ishikawa on day two at Arizona. (Photo - Fran Caffrey/www.golffile.ie)

Aftter defeating England’s Justin Rose in his opening round match Lawrie teed-up on the Dove Mountain course for a second day looking to defeat the only Japanese born player in the $US 8.5m event.

And the Abedonian was never behind in his encounter winning the third hole and though Ishikawa got back to all square at the next Lawrie won the seventh and eighth holes to make the turn leading 2up.

But on each occasion Ishikawa won a hole as was the case at the 10th and 13th, Lawrie responded winning the 11th and 14th holes.

And while Ishikawa won the 17th to get back to 1 down he could not manage better than a par at the last to hand Lawrie the match.

Lawrie arrived in Arizona lying 45th on the world rankings and with some five weeks to the commencement of the seasons first Major the 43-year old Scot is assured now of driving down Magnolia Lane for a first time since finishing in a tie for 37th place in 2004.

“My match today was similar to yesterday really as I played solid tee to green, struggled a bit with the putter,” said Lawrie.

“Probably the game should have been over a wee bit earlier than it was.  When you struggle to get the ball in the hole, you know there is a fair chance that your matches are going to go a long way.

“The positives were I was hitting the ball really good, but struggling a bit with the blade.”

But while Lawrie can look forward to a return to the Georgia golfing gem he now faces compatriot Martin Laird in an all-Scotland third round match after the Colorado-based Laird won his second round encounter 2up against Italian stallion Matteo Manassero.

Laird won the first to go 1up but after losing the second he also was never behind going 2up after the seventh and then sealing the match with a birdie at the par three, 17th to win 2up.

“I’m looking forward to playing Martin,” said Lawrie.

“Obviously Martin has been playing good, and he’s ahead of me in the World Ranking, so he’s the favorite.  I’m looking forward to it.  It should be good.”

And Lawrie was reminded on his meeting Laird for a first occasion and that was when Laird was just 17 years of age.

“Well, Martin mentioned that to me when we played nine holes a couple of years ago,” said Lawrie.

“It was when Adam Hunter was the national coach.  Adam asked me to come along and chat with the boys.  I don’t remember Martin.  There was obviously about 30 boys there, but he did tell me the story.  I’m a bit older than him, obviously.”

However that friendship will be cast aside as both players look to advance to the quarter finals.