Another press conference; another embarrassing performance by Tiger Woods. He’s not handling the new book from ex-swing coach Hank Haney very well.

Wednesday, at his press conference before the Honda Classic, Woods got downright pissy when GolfChannel’s Alex Miceli asked him about the excerpt’s statement that Woods had considered becoming a Navy SEAL at the height of his career.

First came the stare. Then the insistence that he’d already talked about everything in the book – perhaps referring to a January interview with ESPN.com where the word “unprofessional” first emerged. Then the frozen smile. “Is it in the book?” Woods asked twice. Then, muttering into the microphone, “You’re a beauty, you know that?” Finally, when Miceli pressed him to acknowledge that it was a fair question, that Woods and Steinberg had said the excerpts were untrue and so it was natural to ask about a specific claim, Woods stared again and said, “I don’t know,” and then added dismissively, “Have a good day.”

It was a remarkable performance by a man who stood before the cameras 24 months ago and said he would try to treat people better and be more humble.

It is amazing that in the 16 years since he burst into pro golf with the Nike-scripted declaration, “Hello, World,” Woods has not come to terms with the fact that people talk and write about him.

The guy needs to grow up.

The face of Tiger Woods says it ass, as he misses his putt on the 12th hole during the final round of the WGC Bridgestone Invitational golf tournament at Firestone Country Club in Akron. The entire weekend was a disaster for Tiger, and Plain Dealer columnists Bud Shaw sums it up.

Golf shirts from the Tiger Woods Collection retail for $100 in the Firestone Country Club pro shop. Hats are $28.50. Neither will help you play golf like Tiger Woods.

For the first time in memory, that’s not a disclaimer as much as a selling point.

To match the game Woods brought to the South Course this week at the Bridgestone Invitational, you’d have to miss fairways, flub chips, quit on shots and putt as if you spent the morning hooked to a caffeine IV drip.

The only way this tournament could more accurately embody the tumult of 2010 for Woods after Saturday’s third-round 75 would be if he were riding in a cart and that cart careened off the course into a fire hydrant.

Woods’ 5 over round was his worst at Firestone since his previous worst — 48 hours earlier. His 11 over after 54 holes is the highest relative to par since he turned pro in 1996.

“I drove it terrible, hit my irons terrible, didn’t putt well, and it added up,” Woods said before heading directly for the driving range.

For Woods to fix everything that ails him in one driving range session he’d have to stumble across Butch Harmon, Hank Haney and a hot tub time machine there.

We’re seeing a new Tiger who actually has to deal with his personal life outside the course. Maybe he needs a trip to Vegas . . . . .

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