MAKENA WHITE, the girlfriend of professional golfer Jake Knapp, has tragically passed away.
White died earlier this week at the age of 28, her close friend announced.
A post on her Instagram account read: “Hi everyone – this is Makena’s friend, writing with the heaviest heart to share that Makena passed away earlier this week.
“She is already so deeply missed by her Dad, her family, her friends, and of course by Nelly and Fergie.
“Makena was one of a kind. She had this rare way of making you feel special, and her huge heart was always overflowing with love.
“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.
“If you would like to honour Makena’s memory, donations to the Bruyère Brain Health & Memory Clinic or the Griffin Bell Endowment Fund would mean a lot.
“We love you Mak. We’ll miss you always, and we’ll be looking for you in the sunset.”
No other details about her death have been revealed.
Messages of condolence were shared online following the announcement.
CBS Sports course reporter Amanda Balionis said: “Getting to know Makena was one of my favorite parts of this last year.
“So much laughter, passion and she never met a stranger. I will miss her light… it touched so many.”
Meanwhile, golf writer and podcaster Dan Rapoport added: “What a light she was.”
White had been dating PGA Tour pro Knapp – who is ranked 80th in the world – for the last two years.
They went public with their relationship after Knapp got his first PGA Tour win at the Mexico Open last year.
A native of Ottawa, Ontario, White graduated from McMaster University with degrees in communications and software engineering in 2019 and went on to work in surgical sales – primarily providing equipment to vascular and cardiac surgeons.
She was also an avid sports fan and regularly supported her hometown hockey team, the Ottawa Senators.
Having grown up a golf fan, White rediscovered her love for the game after falling in love with Knapp.
The 31-year-old golfer went professional in 2016 and spent three years playing on the PGA Tour Canada before returning in 2022.
He also took part in the Korn Ferry Tour in 2020, 2021, and 2023.
To support his golf career, Knapp worked as a bouncer at a restaurant which doubled as a nightclub in his hometown of Costa Mesa, California, from 2021 to 2022.
White sent a heartfelt message to her boyfriend on social media just six weeks before her tragic death.
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The message, which was her final post on Instagram, 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.”
