The man charged with coaching golf's most precocious teenage talent says Michelle Wie is good enough to play on the men's tour.

Worthing-born David Leadbetter made his name by reconstructing the swing of Nick Faldo, who went on to become the most successful British golfer of all time and won six Majors.

He currently coaches Ernie Els and Brits Ian Poulter and Justin Rose, but in the last two years he has also become mentor to the extraordinary Wie.

Wie gave notice of her potential when she missed the cut by just one shot at the US PGA Tour's Sony Open in Hawaii in January 2004 at the age of 14.

The teenager from Honolulu made her first appearance in an LPGA major at the age of 13 and later in 2003 became the youngest-ever winner of the US Women's Amateur Public Links Championship.

She regularly drives the ball over 300 yards after first picking up a club at the age of four and was winning nearly every junior event she entered by the age of 11. At the age of ten, she shot a 64.

Leadbetter said: "Michelle is one of those prodigies that you only get once in every era. She is an unbelievable talent.

"At 15 she probably is the best striker of the ball in women's golf. She hits it like a man. She is 6ft tall and has a high wide swing.

"There is no reason why she can't do well on the men's circuit. She has the talent, ability and desire.

"On top of that, she is a delightful girl, very mature and with a good temperament."

The Royal and Ancient, who run golf in this country, have admitted that they would let a woman play in the Open Championship from 2006 if they qualified or gained entry through an exemption.

Leadbetter is well aware that Wie's striking good looks gives her potential outside her sport too.

He said: "She is a pretty girl and can transcend golf and become a global star. I don't think women's sport has seen anything like it for years."

He believes Wie can cope with the expectations and pressure that stardom are sure to bring.

He said: "She was advised by Tiger Woods to play as often as she could but she has gone a different route and been more selective. She picks and chooses her tournaments.

"Michelle has chosen to stay in Hawaii which means it's not always practical to get to events on the American mainland.

"Many players could burn themselves out by playing at the level she has done so early but she won't and what also helps is that her family help to keep her grounded.

"I have coached her full time for a year and a half and technically she is really good.

"She has just started to work with Nick Faldo's old caddy Fanny Sunesson. She can learn a lot from Fanny."

The last 20 years have certainly been good to Florida-based Leadbetter, a former member at Ham Manor.

He said: "I first started with Nick Price and Nick Faldo in the mid-1980s and things started to take off.

"Success breeds success and it has snowballed from there."

Leadbetter believes Faldo could one day become Ryder Cup captain.

Ian Woosnam is the favourite to succeed Bernard Langer when Great Britain and Europe defend the trophy at the K Club near Dublin next year.

Leadbetter said: "Woosie would be a popular choice this time but I wouldn't rule out Nick in a year or two.

"He's got an excellent Ryder Cup record as a player and, although he has not been Mr Popular with the hierarchy, I am sure he will get his chance."

Leadbetter is also interested in Faldo the coach since the former World No.1 started guiding the career of promising Nick Dougherty who won his maiden European Tour event last month.

He said: "It is ironic, because I have worked with Nick in the past and I hope things work out with my old player. Dougherty is a real talent but he became a bit of a wild man for a year or two."

Leadbetter enjoys his professional relationship with South African Els, a three times Major winner.

He said: "Ernie is a great player and just needs help here and there."

Leadbetter runs academies in his name all over the world. The most recent one to open was in China.

Now 52, he shows no signs of easing up. "I'm in for the long haul," he said. "I have got my coaching and my academies and I also get involved in manufacturing projects like the Swingsetter which helps every golfer get their swing right."

Although he still has a house in Rustington, America is very much his home these days.

"I love coming back for big events like the Open but it is the weather that will put me off returning in the future full time. In Florida it's sunshine all the time!"