Ryder Cup hopeful Poulter slams media distraction

NORTON, Massachusetts (Reuters) - Britain's Ian Poulter launched into a tirade against the media after he and fellow Ryder Cup hopeful Paul Casey missed the cut at the Deutsche Bank Championship on Saturday.

Poulter, who has pinned his hopes on being one of captain Nick Faldo's two wildcard picks for next month's matches, said he had been mentally drained this week by media distraction in the U.S. and Europe.

"I'm spent, to be honest with you," the 32-year-old Englishman told reporters after shooting a three-over-par 74 in the second round at the TPC Boston.

"It's been a very long week and I think a lot of misspent energy has been taken up by press, the media, players, everybody.

"It's just so mentally draining to be in this position, to listen and read and to get all the b.s all week. It's seriously, seriously mentally draining."

Poulter conceded earlier this week he might have cost himself a Ryder Cup spot by skipping the European Tour's Johnnie Walker Championship in Scotland.

He has a burning desire to make his second appearance in the biennial team competition but, after lengthy vacillation, he decided to remain on the PGA Tour to focus on the FedExCup playoffs.

Media reports from Britain this week suggested Faldo had already promised Poulter a place in his 12-man line-up, a fact which Poulter vehemently denied.

HIT BACK

Fellow Briton Colin Montgomerie, an eight-times Ryder Cup veteran competing at the Johnnie Walker Championship, then hit back by criticizing Poulter for discussing his playing plans with Faldo.

"It's a joke," Poulter added after missing the cut at the TPC Boston by five strokes. "It's not the kind of buzz you want to go and play golf on.

"The kind of nonsense that has been in my head for a whole week is not the right kind of pressure. It's distraction pressure. Boy, what one hell of a week."

Asked if he believed he would gain a wildcard selection by Faldo, Poulter replied: "Do you know what? I am sick and tired of all this nonsense.

"I am absolutely spent. I can't waste any more energy thinking about it. If I get the call, I will be ready to play and, trust me, I will do my job."

Casey, a leading contender with Poulter and Northern Irishman Darren Clarke for Faldo's two captain's picks, missed the cut at the Deutsche Bank Championship after carding a 73.

Asked to rate his chances of making the European team for a third consecutive time, he replied: "I don't know."

Faldo is scheduled to announced his two captain's picks at around 1400 local (1800 GMT) on Sunday.

The Ryder Cup takes place at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky from September 19-21.

(Editing by John O'Brien)