The 38-year-old triple Olympic champion held an overnight lead in the opening match of the sixth and final International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) Shotgun World Cup event of the season, but finished tied with Connor after the last shot of the final after each had scored 55 out of 60 targets.

In the shoot-off at their home venue of the Tucson Trap and Skeet Club, Rhode used all her experience to hit four targets, with Connor scoring three.

It was Rhode's third ISSF World Cup gold medal of the season, following her victories at Guadalajara and Changwon - and the ideal preparation for the World Championships that start in South Korea on August 31.

Rhode then announced that she is training to shoot three different events at the next Olympic Games.

"I am actually training trap, the trap mixed team, and skeet events," she told ISSF TV.

"So you may see me in some of the future World Cups shooting the other events."

None of the other international shooters are currently competing in all three events on the road to Tokyo 2020.

But Rhode has already proved her skills in multiple events, winning three Olympic medals in double trap and three in skeet.

"Hopefully you will see me shooting all three shotgun events at the 2020 Olympics," she said.

Reviewing her most recent win, she added: "To be out there with my team-mate is just the best feeling ever.

"When you're competing head and head, back and forth like that, it's anyone's game.

"Gold, silver… it doesn't really matter.

"I couldn't be happier for both me and my teammate."

Commenting on the difficult conditions she had to face during the match, with the wind peaking, the light conditions changing, and faulty target machines that caused a couple of stops, she said: "Keeping your cool comes from the experience, having been out there so many times.

"My family is here with me.

"Having them on the stands is incredible, especially my five-year old son Carter who was cheering me on during the whole match.

"It made a very nice home feeling, and that motivated me through the match."

France's 25-year old Lucie Anastassiou followed the two US medallists to take bronze - her first World Cup medal - with 44 hits.

Italy's 22-year old Chiara Di Marziantonio was fourth with 35 hits, one place ahead of South Korea's Kim Minji.

Competition continues tomorrow with the men's skeet second qualification day and the final.

After the first two qualification series, Oskari Kossi of Finland and Stefan Nilsson of Sweden lead the group with perfect scores of 50.