Lawson, who skipped the gold medal-winning pairs and fours at last year's World Bowls in Christchurch, is one of 53 bowlers competing in the Scottish-Welsh international singles qualifying event. He will be challenged by fellow Canterbury bowler Andrew Kelly, who is defending his spot in the Welsh International Open Singles from last season, Lawson has a tough first-round encounter against another top 30-ranked player in Denis Leeden (Dunedin), who competed in the international finals in the United Kingdom earlier this year.
Another interesting match-up features Dunedin bowlers Robbie Thomson and former World Bowls silver medallist Jim Scott.
Thomson was too good the first time they played each other, but Scott turned the tables in the quarterfinals of the Welsh qualifier last year.
The singles qualifying event will be held on the new outdoor carpet surface at the Hobsonville club at Auckland, and at indoor rinks at Hamilton, Hastings and Dunedin.
Each venue hosts two tournaments with a qualifying singles event, where the winner qualifies for a national finals weekend in September.
The winner of that event earns a trip to the Scottish and Welsh International Open Singles.
There is also a ranking pairs event at the four venues.
Results in the pairs and singles count towards national rankings from which the top players will be invited to a World Bowls Tour event in Australia next summer.
