The home of the Masters has remained male-only in the face of numerous calls to change.

And with Ginni Rometty, appointed CEO of IBM - one of the tournament sponsors - earlier this year, the story is back in the spotlight.

However, Payne was not willing to discuss the matter at Wednesday's press conference.

"As has been the case whenever that question is asked, all issues of membership are now and have been historically subject to the private deliberations of the members," said Payne, the 64-year-old who took over as chairman in 2006.

"And that statement remains accurate and remains my statement."

Asked specifically about Rometty, he replied: "One, we don't talk about our private deliberations. Number two, we especially don't talk about it when a named candidate is a part of the question."

Then he was questioned on how he felt about the issue coming up again and whether it reflected negatively on either the club or the tournament.

"I think there's certainly a difference of opinion on that and I don't think I have formed an opinion on that," he added. "But certainly people have different opinions on that subject."