Minnesota Contestant Stuns With Lightning-Fast Bonus Round Win
A Minnesota woman shocked viewers — and host Ryan Seacrest — when she solved the Wheel of Fortune Bonus Round almost instantly, walking away with $65,650 in total winnings.
A Slow Start Turns Into a Standout Night
Delinda Rood, from Rosemount, Minnesota, appeared on the November 4 episode alongside Justin Zamora of Palo Alto, California, and Shateria Smith of Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Rood, who described herself as an “ambivert,” struggled early on. However, she quickly rebounded and delivered one of the episode’s fastest solves.
The game opened with no one solving the first toss-up, “My Game Face.” Rood regained momentum by buzzing in on the second toss-up, “Practical Joker,” and pocketing $2,000.
Competitors Score Big Wins
Zamora secured his own highlight moment by solving “Candy Girl You Are My World.” His win earned him $12,549 and an all-expenses-paid trip to Norway.
Meanwhile, Smith — an author and entrepreneur — grabbed the coveted One Million Dollar Wedge after solving “Summer & Boot Camp,” adding $1,900 to her total.
Rood Takes Control
When Smith faltered on the next puzzle, Rood jumped in. She solved “Spoil Yourself At The Spa” with only a few letters left, winning a trip to Scottsdale, Arizona, and raising her total to $10,950.
She then dominated the triple toss-up round, solving two out of three puzzles. Smith captured the final one, but Rood’s momentum remained unmatched.
In the decisive round, she solved “A Tough Nut To Crack,” securing her place in the Bonus Round with $20,650. Zamora finished with $12,549, and Smith ended with $3,900.
A Bonus Round for the Ages
For her final challenge, Rood selected the category “Around the House.” Her husband, Mark, and daughter, Molly, joined her on set as the board revealed the letters R, S, T, L, N, and E.
She chose M, V, K, and A, which produced the puzzle: _ARM _ _ _LT.
The clock had barely started when Rood confidently shouted, “For my mother-in-law, Warm Quilt!”
Seacrest looked stunned. “Yeah! Did you know it? Did you know it?” he asked as the audience erupted.
He then opened the prize envelope — revealing she had won an additional $45,000. That boosted her final total to an impressive $65,650.
A Finish Fans Won’t Forget
“You didn’t even have to think about it!” Seacrest said, grinning.
Rood smiled back. “I knew it!”
Her lightning-fast solve thrilled longtime fans and proved that sharp instincts — and a little family inspiration — can turn a bonus round into an unforgettable victory.
