Poulter relying on wildcard after Scottish pullout

By Tony Jimenez

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's Ian Poulter has pulled out of this week's Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles, the last points-counting event for next month's Ryder Cup.

"I have called (captain) Nick Faldo and told him of my decision and hope my performance so far this year will earn one of his two wildcard picks," Poulter said in a statement issued by the European Tour on Monday.

The 32-year-old Englishman, runner-up to Ireland's Padraig Harrington in the British Open at Royal Birkdale in July, is outside the automatic top-10 places in the Ryder Cup points standings.

Poulter missed the cut in the opening event of the U.S. PGA Tour's FedExCup playoffs last week and needs to compete in the second tournament of the series in Boston this week to have any chance of qualifying for the final two events, the BMW Championship and The Tour Championship.

BURNING DESIRE

"It has been an extremely difficult decision to take given my burning desire to represent Europe again in defending the Ryder Cup," said Poulter.

"But the fact Boston is my only opportunity to qualify for the final two playoff events, as well as being my final opportunity to play my 15 events on the U.S. PGA Tour, conflicts with my ambition to play Gleneagles and earn my spot in the team."

Poulter, who made his only previous Ryder Cup appearance in 2004, is likely to have to compete with the likes of Darren Clarke, Paul Casey and Colin Montgomerie for Faldo's two wildcard picks.