Chicago, IL (CHAMBANA TODAY) – One lucky Illinois iLottery player is swinging into retirement with a major jackpot after claiming a $1.1 million Lucky Day Lotto prize at the Illinois Lottery Prize Center in Rockford.

The winner, who whimsically identified himself as “My Hole-in-One,” initially thought the congratulatory email was a scam. “With so many email scams out there, I thought it was fake,” he said. “Even after calling the Illinois Lottery, I still wasn’t sure. As the old saying goes—‘the hay’s not in the barn yet.’”

His winning numbers—14, 22, 23, 32, and 36—were drawn during the midday Lucky Day Lotto game on Sunday, July 27.

It wasn’t until he was back on the golf course that the reality set in. “Tears came to my eyes. It was incredibly moving,” he said.

As for how he’ll spend the prize, the retiree quipped, “Try and keep the money away from my wife,” before sharing that they plan to save most of it and perhaps splurge on a sunny vacation and maybe a kitchen remodel—pending approval.