Makena White, the girlfriend of PGA Tour golfer Jake Knapp, has died at age 28, a close friend shared on White’s Instagram page.
Her friend said on White's Instagram that White had passed away earlier in the week. She described White as having "this rare way of making you feel special" and possessing "a huge heart that was always overflowing with love."
White had been in a relationship with Knapp for about two years. Knapp, who secured his first PGA Tour victory at the Mexico Open last year during his rookie season, also achieved a remarkable 59 at the Cognizant Classic earlier this year.
The cause of White's death was not disclosed in the social media announcement.
Knapp asked, in a statement provided through his manager, for privacy for him and his girlfriend's family as they process the devastating loss.
"It's an understatement to say how hard all of this is to process for everyone who knew Mak, especially her family and friends, who deserve privacy and respect during this difficult time," he said.
He praised White's character, describing her impact on those around her.
"Makena was such a thoughtful person whose selflessness toward others is something I will always appreciate," Knapp
said. "We shared so many unforgettable memories together and now that she's no longer with us, it's a tough reality to comprehend."
White's Professional Life and Health Challenges
White worked as a representative for a medical equipment manufacturer, frequently working with surgeons, according to posts on her social media. Her schedule sometimes prevented her from attending Knapp's golf tournaments.
Despite her busy work life, she remained supportive of Knapp's career. On June 2, she shared a photograph of U.S. Open Golf Championship scores displayed on her computer while at work, writing "We're dialled #GolfsLongestDay,” according to her
post on X.
However, in the same June post, she followed up with an image from her Apple Watch showing an elevated heart rate of 133 beats per minute, adding, “By dialled I mean tachycardic.” Tachycardia is a condition where the heart rate exceeds 100 beats per minute,
according to the Mayo Clinic.
White also shared a photograph from May 23 on X
showing herself wearing a holter monitor, a device that records heart activity. She commented in her post on the irony of attending a cardiac surgery conference for work while monitoring her own heart condition.
An April 29 X
post suggested White had undergone surgery, as she mentioned waking from "a 6h post anesthesia nap," though she didn’t provide any details about the operation.
White's final
Instagram post in August celebrated her second year supporting Knapp's professional golf career. The post read: "Year 2 of first fairway hugs & watching you live out your dreams. Second season in the books—forever grateful to be on this walk with you, here's to many many many more! I looooove you sweet boy, you make it so dang easy to be proud.”
In a May 31 birthday tribute to Knapp, White
wrote: "Happy birthday to my very best friend. No matter where our crazy adventures take us, you make every place feel like home. I love you sweet boy!"
"She had an incredible family, great friends, and her fun, outgoing energy will be missed by all of us," Knapp said.
Knapp was not selected for the current U.S. Ryder Cup team competing in Bethpage, New York, and last competed at the FedEx St. Jude Championship in August, where he finished tied for 62nd place.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
