Virginia Rometty, who made headlines more than two years ago for not being extended an Augusta National membership after taking over as chief executive officer at IBM, has become the third woman to join the exclusive club, home to the Masters.
Golf Digest, citing several sources, and Bloomberg News, also citing sources, reported that Rometty has joined former U.S. secretary of state Condoleezza Rice and Darla Moore as the club's only woman members. She was seen hitting balls at the club last week, two members told the magazine's website.
IBM spokesman Ed Barbini would not confirm Rometty's Augusta membership to Golf Digest or Bloomberg.
The club did not return calls seeking comment and has traditionally not spoken about such matters. It made an exception two years ago when Rice and Moore were extended memberships; Augusta National had for years been criticized for not admitting women members to the club that is home to one of the world's biggest golf tournaments.
Prior to Rice and Moore being asked to join, Rometty had been identified as a prime candidate for membership because of her CEO role at IBM, a longtime sponsor of the Masters. She became the company's first woman CEO in 2012. Previous IBM CEOs had been club members, but Augusta National let the pressure pass, even as Rometty was seen at the club during the 2012 tournament as part of IBM's contingent.
According to the Golf Handicap and Information Network (GHIN) accessed by Golf Digest, Rometty plays to a 35.4 handicap index out of two clubs -- Golf Club of Purchase near IBM headquarters in Armonk, New York, and Shadow Wood Country Club in Bonita Springs, Florida. That handicap means she usually does not break 100 for 18 holes.
Golf Digest also reported that Jerry Yang, the founder of Yahoo!, is also among new members of the club. After being closed for the summer, Augusta National opened late last month.