An Oakland County man got the surprise of a lifetime when he won $500,000 in the 20X The Cash instant game from the Michigan Lottery.

The player, who chose to remain anonymous, followed his usual morning routine when he stopped at the Mobil gas station, located at 43407 Grand River Avenue in Novi to purchase Lottery tickets. After returning to his car, he scratched his lucky 20X The Cash ticket and found that he won $500,000.

“I was shaking in my boots when I saw the ticket was a winner,” said the player. “I went back into the store and asked the clerk to confirm I was a winner. She pulled me aside and congratulated me on winning $50,000, I asked her to look again and she couldn’t believe her eyes either.”

After asking the clerk for a pen and signing the back of his ticket, the lucky player got in his car and called his wife to share the good news.

“When I called my wife, she thought I had gotten in a car accident because I could hardly speak,” he said.

The rest of the day continued as usual for the player, who went to work.

“Going to work with that ticket was pretty nerve-wracking,” said the player. “I kept the ticket in my pocket all day and kept sticking my hand in my pocket to make sure it was there. Once I got home I put the ticket under a chair cushion in our bedroom for safe keeping.”

With his winnings, the player plans to take a vacation and put the remainder into a retirement account.

For just $5 each 20X The Cash instant game ticket gives players a chance to win prizes ranging from $5 up to $500,000. In addition to three $500,000 prizes, 78 $10,000 prizes, 144 $2,000 prizes, and 987 $1,000 prizes remain in the game. The 20X The Cash game debuted on Jan. 6.

Michigan Lottery instant game tickets may be purchased at retailers across the state.