Wheel of Fortune contestant left speechless after savvy puzzle solve rakes in six-figure payday

PAT Sajak’s farewell year as Wheel of Fortune host kicked off with a bang – in the form of a huge cash prize – on Tuesday’s episode.

Latoya from Irmo, South Carolina, clinched a whopping $100,000 with a jaw-dropping solve on a bonus puzzle that provided very few hints.

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Expressing her passion for cooking and weekly culinary experiments, Latoya seamlessly translated her kitchen skills to the game.

She racked up $19,500 through a series of correct puzzle solves before advancing to the one-contestant bonus round.

Choosing “Person” as the category, Latoya’s excited boyfriend Dexter waved to her and Pat, 77, off-stage as the suspense built.

Facing a challenging three-word puzzle with only two revealed “L’s” from the customary “RSTLNE,” Latoya went with “CMDO” as her additional picks.

Undeterred by the limited clues, the puzzle presented itself as: “’ ‘ _ _ L _ C’ ‘O _ _ _ C _ _ L’

Acknowledging the challenge, Pat dryly admitted: “You’ve got your work cut out for you,” and urged her to “talk it out” as the ten-second timer began.

However, Latoya wasted no time, acing it with the confident declaration, “A public official?”

The crowd erupted as Pat confirmed her correct answer and she exclaimed: “Oh my god!”

The climax came as Pat revealed the prize card contained a rare $100,000 bonus win.

Confetti showered the stage as Pat carted himself off-screen, leaving Latoya and her beau to revel in their well-deserved payday of $119,500.

Overwhelmed with excitement, Latoya continued to exclaim “Oh my God!” and covered her face while the audience erupted in cheers.

FANS REACT TO BIG $100,000 WIN

Wheel of Fortune fans rejoiced at the fantastic start to the New Year and the emotional victory.

One YouTube viewer wrote: “She’s a really good player. That was exciting to watch.”

Another applauded: “She is one of the few to have very few letters and solving the puzzle and winning $100,000.”

A third wrote: “Holy jeepers, bonus round puzzle worth the dough!! Congrats, lady!”

A fourth simply penned: “LETS GO LETS GO!!”

Big $100,000 wins only happen every few months on the game show.

Meanwhile, a scant three players have ever won the $1M prize, four counting Celebrity Wheel’s Melissa Joan Hart.

Wheel of Fortune’s host since 1981, Pat, is retiring this June, and Ryan Seacrest is taking over come fall.

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