PGA Tour winner Jake Knapp's girlfriend Makena White dies at 28
Makena White died earlier this week at age 28; the cause was not disclosed. Knapp, who won the Mexico Open last year, had publicly acknowledged their two-year relationship.
Makena White, the girlfriend of PGA Tour winner Jake Knapp, has died at age 28, a friend announced on Knapp’s Instagram page on Friday. The post said White died earlier this week and did not disclose a cause of death. Knapp, 31, earned his lone PGA Tour win at the Mexico Open last year and is listed around No. 80 in the world rankings. White’s passing comes as the golf world processes a sudden loss to someone who had become a visible part of Knapp’s personal journey as he built his career in professional golf.
White and Knapp had been dating for about two years and went public after Knapp’s Mexico Open triumph. In the weeks leading up to her death, White had shared a message on Instagram celebrating their relationship, marking two years together and praising the life they shared on and off the course. Her post spoke to the journey they were on and the support she offered as he pursued his dreams, noting a hopeful outlook for many seasons to come.
Condolences poured in on White’s Instagram page from members of the golf community. CBS golf reporter Amanda Balionis posted that Makena was a genuine, warm presence who made people feel included and never met a stranger, a sentiment echoed by others who described her as someone who brightened gatherings with laughter and kindness. Golf writer Dan Rapaport also memorialized her as “a light” who touched many people
Knapp’s professional profile adds context to the loss. The Mexico Open title remains his only PGA Tour victory to date, and the American golfer sits in the range of the world’s top 100. The sudden death of White, who had been a prominent companion in Knapp’s ascent, leaves unanswered questions about the circumstances surrounding her passing. The family and Knapp have not publicly elaborated beyond the notice posted on social media, and there has been no official update on cause or memorial details.
The golf world has reacted to the news with an outpouring of sympathy, underscoring the close-knit nature of the sport’s community and the personal toll of such losses for players and those around them. Knapp’s supporters have highlighted the balance he has sought between rising competitiveness on tour and the private life that White helped shape, a presence that many described as a steadying force amid the demands of professional golf.
