The 22-year-old American prevailed in an additional shoot-off round against New Zealand's Natalie Rooney to take the title and finish at the top of the podium in a World Cup competition for the first time in her career.

The two competitors could not be separated at the end of the final as both shooters finished with 42 hits.

Their respective performances saw them end the event with the co-world record as they surpassed the 40 hits recorded by Penny Smith at the ISSF World Cup event in New Delhi last month.

Alessandra Perilli of San Marino took home the bronze as she rounded off the podium with third place.

The 28-year-old shooter scored 30 target hits as she picked up her sixth World Cup medal.

Carroll's triumph came in front of her parents, who had travelled over from the US to watch their daughter in action in the Mexican city.

"It actually feels great to win my first World Cup gold medal in front of them, we live in California, so it’s quite easy to come here in Mexico," said Carroll.

"It’s been great to feel their support and my teammates’ support all along the qualifications round and through the final match."

Carroll managed to reach the showpiece contest as she overcame the tough challenge of double Commonwealth Games champion Laetisha Scanlan of Australia to seal the last remaining spot in the final.

The American then made a bright start in the gold medal match as she hit all of her first 19 targets.

Rooney got her way back into the contest midway through the encounter, taking advantage of a miss from Carroll to move into pole position.

The New Zealander made an even more costly error, however, as she missed in the additional shoot-off, allowing Carroll to pounce to clinch the gold.

The event in Acapulco continues tomorrow.