She finished the final round of Olympic women’s golf at Kasumigaseki Country Club, in Saitama, Japan, -17 on Saturday to take the top prize.
Nelly, 23, entered the final round 15 under, followed closely by India’s Aditi Asho, who was -12 through round three. A playoff for the silver medal is currently underway.
“Stepping on that podium I had tears in my eyes,” Nelly tells PEOPLE. “No one can really explain what that feels like until you are there. It’s just a huge honor. It’s hard to explain what that moment felt like.”
The U.S. took home both golfing gold medals this Games, with American Xander Schauffle winning the title in the men’s competition.
