A few random thoughts following Webb Simpson’s surprising victory at this year’s U.S. Open:

Have to admit seeing Jim Furyk’s duck hook on 16 was more like something you’d see at a Goodboys Invitational from the likes of Ron “Cubby” Myerow or Steve “Killer” Kowalski more than a PGA pro in the thick of things at a final round at the U.S. Open. Bizarre, yes, but that’s what pressure will do to ya. The only tournament with bigger pressure than a U.S. Open is – you guessed it – a Goodboys Invitational.

The big winner this weekend, of course, was the Olympic Club golf course. Not only was it a stern test for the best golfers in the world, it was a beautiful course to watch golf played on. After Rory McIlroy’s runaway 16-under winning score at last year’s soggy Congressional, the USGA warned everyone that the 2012 edition would be a whole different ballgame, and it was. Next year, when the Open is back East at Merion outside Philadelphia, they’ll be nervously watching what the weather forecast will be like again.

Tiger Woods can talk all he wants about “making progress” and needing to “improve his putting” but Colin Montgomerie had it exactly right on Golf Channel’s post-round coverage: he’s very erratic and inaccurate from 50 to 125 yards out, and his game isn’t going to good enough to win another major until he learns ball control. You want to make more putts and more birdies, Tiger? Get the ball closer to the hole from that distance out. And work on your sand game.

Everyone’s talking about the wacko who interrupted Bob Costas’ interview with Simpson at the awards ceremony. My question is, where on God’s earth was the security? What would have happened if the guy had some kind of weapon? I hope the cops beat the crap out of him (accidentally, of course) on the way to the police jail. Lemme tell you, this country is full of sick people.

You look at the sheer number of young American golfers ascending like Keegan Bradley, Bill Haas, Bubba Watson, Webb Simpson, etc. and look across the pond to see only Rory McIlroy. You gotta think the Americans’ chances at the Ryder Cup for the next decade of matches is going to be pretty secure.