$22m lottery winner keeps decades-old promise to split winnings with best friend

When you make a promise to your best friend, it counts for a lot.

Yet as we all know, friendships change over time and sometimes, when push comes to shove, not everyone keeps their word.

But one best friend who honored his decades-old promise to split his lottery winnings is Tom Cook, who had vowed with his best friend Joe Feeney that if either of them ever won the lottery, they'd split it.

The pair from Menomonie, Wisconsin, finally got a chance to honor their 1992 promise when Tom won a staggering $22 million in the Wisconsin Lottery, the Guardian reports.

In an interview with Wisconsin Lottery cited by USA Today, Tom said, "a handshake is a handshake, man", and the lottery has since confirmed that the pair will be splitting the winnings 50/50.

Hilariously, Joe, who is an avid fisherman, couldn't believe what he was hearing when Tom phoned him up to break the news and said: "Are you jerking my bobber?"

Two best friends chose the tax option of $16.7 million, which, after federal and state taxes, left them with $5.7 million each.

This was the first time the jackpot has been scooped since March 2019, when there was record-setting $768.4 million jackpot winner in the state.

Wisconsin Lottery Director Cindy Polzin said: "Congratulations to Tom, Joe, and their families. The power of friendship and a handshake has paid off. I’m thrilled for them - their lucky day has arrived!"

Joe had already retired at the time of the win, and after winning the money, Tom handed in his notice at work and retired too.

The happy pair are now hoping to use the money to relax and spend time with their families.

They're likely going on adventures together, having previously taken road trips in a small PT Cruiser convertible with their wives.

"We can pursue what we feel comfortable with," Tom said. "I can't think of a better way to retire."