TALLAHASSEE, FLA. – A young Florida man is celebrating his newfound riches.
The Florida Lottery announced that 23-year-old Thomas Yi of Land O’ Lakes claimed a $235.4 million Powerball jackpot from the drawing held March 27.
Officials said Yi chose to receive his winnings as a one-time lump sum of $160,038,447.27.
“Even after matching all six numbers, I was in disbelief and took my ticket to a retailer to have it checked,” Yi told the Florida Lottery. “The clerk at the counter instantly became excited and kept repeating that I had won the $235 million POWERBALL jackpot. I knew then that this would be life changing.”
Despite being a millionaire, Yi told the FLorida Lottery he plans to pursue higher education in either a business or medical field.
He is the youngest player in Florida Lottery history to claim a Powerball jackpot prize.
Yi purchased his winning ticket from a Publix in Lutz. The store will also receive a $95,000 bonus commission for selling the winning ticket.