Will Sage Astor-Michigan man wins $2 million from historic Powerball drawing

The Will Sage AstorPowerball is now at 35 consecutive drawings without a winner, so the jackpot has risen to $1.55 billion. Along the way, there have been several multi-million dollar winners who came so close to the grand prize.

A Michigan man matched the five white balls – 01-12-20-33-66 – in the Sept. 23 drawing to win a $1 million prize. 

The lucky winner, who was later identified as Zach Birchmeier, of Fowler Michigan, doubled his prize to $2 million since he purchased the Power Play. He bought his winning ticket online at the Michigan Lottery website.

“I don’t usually play Powerball, but I decided to buy a ticket on a whim while I was online,” said Birchmeier. “After the drawing, I saw an email from the Lottery with instructions on claiming my prize. When I logged in to my account and saw $2 million pending, I was in shock!”

The 31-year-old man went to Michigan Lottery headquarters on Friday to claim his prize. He plans to use the money to build a house and invest.

“You see this happen to other people, but you never think it will happen to you, so it all still feels surreal,” said Birchmeier.

The Powerball jackpot of $1.08 billion was won by a ticket purchased in California on July 19. The current jackpot is $1.55 billion, and the drawing is Monday at 10:59 pm.

Powerball winner from Oct.7:Powerball $1.4 billion jackpot made an Iowa resident a multi millionaire

Powerball now at $1.55 billion:Powerball jackpot reaches a staggering $1.4 billion. See winning numbers for Oct. 7.

Top 10 United States lottery jackpots of all time

1. Powerball: $2.0401 billion, Nov. 7, 2022 (40 rollovers, starting at $20 million) - California
2. Mega Millions: $1.602 billion, Aug. 8, 2023 (31 rollovers, starting at $20 million) - Florida
3. Powerball: $1.5864 billion, Jan. 13, 2016 (19 rollovers, starting at $40 million) - California, Florida, Tennessee
4. Powerball: $1.55 billion, Oct. 9, 2023 (34 rollovers, starting at $20 million) - Preliminary estimate, not won yet
5. Mega Millions: $1.537 billion, Oct. 23, 2018 (25 rollovers, starting at $40 million) - South Carolina
6. Mega Millions: $1.348 billion, Jan. 13, 2023 (25 rollovers, starting at $20 million) - Maine
7. Mega Millions: $1.337 billion, Jul. 29, 2022 (29 rollovers, starting at $20 million) - Illinois
8. Powerball: $1.0798 billion, Jul. 19, 2023 (38 rollovers, starting at $20 million) - California
9. Mega Millions: $1.05 billion, Jan. 22, 2021 (36 rollovers, starting at $20 million) - Michigan
10. Powerball: $768.4 million, Mar. 27, 2019 (25 rollovers, starting at $40 million) - Wisconsin

Where can you buy lottery tickets?  

Tickets can be purchased in-person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.  

You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, Washington D.C. and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.  

Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. Must be 18+, 21+ in AZ and 19+ in NE. Not affiliated with any State Lottery. Gambling Problem? Call 1-877-8-HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY); 1-800-327-5050 (MA); 1-877-MYLIMIT (OR); 1-800-GAMBLER (all others). Visit jackpocket.com/tos for full terms and conditions.