Poulter cracks first as Europe Ryder Cup race gets tight

8220;I8217;m spent, to be honest with you,8221; the 32-year-old Englishman told reporters after shooting a three-over-par 74 in the second round at the TPC Boston.

8220;It8217;s been a very long week and I think a lot of misspent energy has been taken up by press, the media, players, everybody.

8220;It8217;s just so mentally draining to be in this position, to listen and read and to get all the b.s all week. It8217;s seriously, seriously mentally draining.8221;

Poulter conceded earlier this week he might have cost himself a Ryder Cup spot by skipping the European Tour8217;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.

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

8220;It8217;s a joke,8221; Poulter added after missing the cut at the TPC Boston by five strokes. 8220;It8217;s not the kind of buzz you want to go and play golf on.8221;