The Masters: Mitt Romney Says 'Yes,' Women Should Be Members at Augusta

Image Credit: David Cannon / Getty Images

TUNKHANNOCK, Pa. - Mitt Romney today weighed in on the debate over whether females should be able to become members of the Augusta National Golf Club.

Asked after an event in northeastern Pennsylvania whether he believes the club should permit women members, Romney responded, "Yes."

"Well of course. I'm not a member of Augusta," he said. "I don't know I would qualify - my golf game is not that good but certainly if I were a member and if I could run Augusta which isn't likely to happen but of course I'd have women in Augusta, sure."

Earlier today White House press secretary Jay Carney also weighed in, saying that the president's "personal opinion is that women should be admitted."

The Georgia golf club is home to the Masters and has never had a female member. The debate has been re-upped this year because the one of the tournament's major sponsors, IBM, has a female CEO, Virginia Rometty.

Update: Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who trails Mitt Romney in the race for the Republican nominaton, also weighed in via Twitter. Gingrich hails from Georgia.

His wife, Callista Gingrich tweeted: "I'm a golfer and I'd love to belong to #Augusta." This message was subsequently retweeted by Newt.

Gingrich then followed with this tweet: "I think Callista would be a great member #Augusta -maybe she would let me come and play"

Read more about Augusta, the Masters and the membership controversy .