The first thing I normally do when I see this is press on the cooler firmly. If the temperature drops, then I know I just have to tighten the screws more or, Intel designed push-pin coolers, find the pin that wasn't actually in. This is assuming of course I tightened the mounting hardware pretty good to begin with. But otherwise, I suspect a botched mounting job.
Note that while too much paste isn't ideal, it also won't lead to excessive temperatures when idling. The amount you reported you put down is fine.
EDIT: I'm also thinking thermal paste placement depends on the CPU. For Zen 2 and Threadripper, the ol' "rice sized blob in the middle" isn't actually ideal. Zen 2 processors have up to three separate dies. Threadripper can have up to 4 dies that need cooling. Having a blob in the middle and getting a nice circle out of it means it's potentially not completely covering every die.
If you really want to make sure you got your bases covered, apply a little paste and use a credit card or something to completely cover it on the heatspreader.