The golf world received heartbreaking news this week. Jake Knapp, the rising PGA Tour star, is grieving the sudden loss of his girlfriend, Makena White. She was only 28 years old.
A close friend of White shared the devastating update on her Instagram page, writing with “the heaviest heart” that Makena had passed away earlier in the week. No cause of death was revealed, and Knapp has asked for privacy as her family and friends try to process the loss.
A Bright Spirit Remembered
People who knew White describe her as someone you couldn’t forget once you met her. She had that rare ability to make others feel special, as if they were the only person in the room. Friends say her “huge heart” was always overflowing with love, and being loved by her meant laughter, joy, and often a little chaos—especially since she was constantly on the move.
Knapp echoed those thoughts in a statement released through his manager. “Makena was such a thoughtful person whose selflessness toward others is something I will always appreciate,” he said. “We shared so many unforgettable memories, and now that she’s no longer with us, it’s a tough reality to comprehend.”
For Knapp, the loss is personal beyond words. Just a few weeks ago, White had posted a photo celebrating two years of “first fairway hugs” and cheering him on from the sidelines. “Forever grateful to be on this walk with you,” she wrote, calling him her “sweet boy” and saying he made it easy to be proud.
More Than “the Golfer’s Girlfriend”
It’s easy, in the headlines, to frame White only in relation to Knapp. But her own story was just as compelling. She grew up in Ottawa, Canada, and studied at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, graduating in 2019 with dual degrees in communications and software engineering. After that, she built a career in surgical sales—a demanding field in which she seemed to thrive.
Life hadn’t been without hardship for her either. Her mother, Crystal, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2018, and White often spoke openly about her family’s experience. Crystal passed away in 2022, but White continued to support memory care programs. In her honour, friends are now encouraging donations to the Bruyère Brain Health & Memory Clinic and the Griffin Bell Endowment Fund.
Her Place in Golf’s Community
Although she wasn’t an athlete herself, White became a familiar presence at tournaments over the last two years. She was there in Mexico in 2024 when Knapp claimed his first PGA Tour victory, proudly celebrating alongside him. Earlier this year, she posted about his stunning 59 at the Cognizant Classic—an achievement golfers dream about their entire careers.
CBS Sports reporter Amanda Balionis was among those paying tribute. She described White as one of the most joyful people she’d met in recent years: “So much laughter, passion, and she never met a stranger. I will miss her light—it touched so many.”
A Tough Season for Knapp
Knapp, who played college golf at UCLA, was seen as one of the sport’s fresh new faces after his Mexico Open win. He didn’t cut this year’s Ryder Cup, but he had been carving out a promising career. His easygoing nature and powerful game made him a fan favourite.
Now, the focus is less on golf and more on healing. Losing White so suddenly is the kind of moment that shakes not just a career, but a life.
“We’ll Be Looking for You in the Sunset”
The Instagram post announcing White’s passing ended with words that struck a chord with many: “We love you, Mak. We’ll miss you always, and we’ll be looking for you in the sunset 💛.”
For Knapp and those closest to her, the next weeks and months will likely be filled with quiet grief, shared stories, and the long process of learning how to move forward without someone so full of life.
