Makena White, Girlfriend of Golf Star Jake Knapp, Dies at 28
Tributes pour in as Knapp faces personal loss during Ryder Cup week; no cause of death disclosed.
Makena White, the girlfriend of American PGA Tour golfer Jake Knapp, has died at age 28, her circle said on the opening day of the Ryder Cup. The news was confirmed via an Instagram post attributed to a friend of White, which offered no details on the cause of death.
An Instagram message described White's family and friends and her dogs Nelly and Fergie, and included remarks that she "was one of a kind" with a "huge heart" overflowing with love. The post also quoted: "To be loved by Makena was a gift; one that came with endless laughter, so much joy, and a healthy sprinkling of chaos as we tried to keep up with her travel schedule. We love you Mak. We’ll miss you always, and we’ll be looking for you in the sunset."
White was a native of Ottawa, Ontario, and earned degrees in communications and software engineering in 2019 from McMaster University. She worked in surgical sales, providing equipment to vascular and cardiac surgeons. An avid sports fan, she followed hockey and cheered for the Ottawa Senators. White said she was a good golfer as a kid, "but from 16-21 I picked up a club maybe 5x total, I had no interest." After meeting Knapp, however, she rekindled an interest in the sport and supported his golfing pursuits.
Knapp and White went public with their relationship after the golfer’s first PGA Tour win last year at the Mexico Open in February. They had been dating since August 2023. White’s background also included a strong academic record and work in surgical sales, underscoring a life built around professional ambition and family interests. The couple’s social posts at the time showed a longstanding affection and mutual support as Knapp climbed the tour ladder.
Knapp turned professional in 2016, competing on PGA Tour Canada from 2016-2019 and again in 2022. He also played on the Korn Ferry Tour in 2020, 2021, and 2023. He earned his PGA Tour card in 2024, winning his first event on the tour in his fifth start. The news of White’s death comes during a high-profile week in golf, as Knapp faces personal tragedy while the Ryder Cup is underway, prompting an outpouring of tributes from fans and fellow players as they process the loss.