Willett defeated American shooter Jeffery Holguin in the gold medal match in Rome.

Willett's coach Graham Boyd said the 20-year-old had bounced back perfectly from the Rio Olympics.

“Even though he finished fifth and set an Olympic record, the Games would have hurt him a little bit,” he said.

“This was his first shoot since, and he nailed it.

“He shot very well, very consistently throughout.

“This is a win that will consolidate him mentally for a very long time, he knows he belongs with the best.

“He's been up there all year and he's staying up year, that's very difficult to do.”  

Willett was all clutch, proceeding straight through to the gold medal match after emerging from a four-way tie for second after the qualifying round.

The young gun shot three pairs in a row to claim a 28 to 27 win.

Willett now has the chance to unwind, with his next competition, the Australian National Championships, not until January.