MIDDLE RIVER, MD—The big winner has come forward to claim his prize.

A forklift driver from Middle River is $50,000 richer after one of his personal sets of numbers won the top prize in an August 4 Bonus Match 5 drawing. Persistence paid off for the loyal player.

“If you wait on something long enough, it will come,” he said.

The Baltimore County resident bought the lucky $4 ticket on the way to his girlfriend’s house. He stopped at a Royal Farms store in Essex and, hours later, discovered that luck had come his way.

“I was home checking my phone and I looked up and all the numbers matched,” he said. “I was like, ‘Wow, it is a winner!’”

The 58-year-old has won big before, having claimed a $25,000 Pick 4 prize over a decade ago.

“I was calm. I didn’t get too excited. Now, if I ever won a million dollars, then I might jump up and down,” he said with a smile.

The happy player came to Maryland Lottery headquarters to claim the prize on Monday, August 8th. He said he spends his time working and likes to bowl as a hobby. The father of one plans to put the money in the bank and will probably use it to “catch up on some bills.”

For selling the lucky ticket, the Royal Farms store located at 1601 Middleborough Road in Essex will receive a $500 bonus.