Los Angeles, September 27, 2025
News Summary
Jake Knapp, a rising PGA Tour golfer, is heartbroken following the recent passing of his girlfriend, Makena White, at the age of 28. Her death has shocked fans and friends, leaving them to reflect on her vibrant spirit. White, who graduated from McMaster University and worked in surgical sales, was a supportive presence in Knapp’s career. The couple’s relationship was celebrated through social media, documenting their love and adventures. As tributes pour in, friends encourage donations in her memory to honor her impact and legacy.
Los Angeles
Shock and sorrow ripple through the golf world
This is a raw, painful moment for the young PGA Tour star and the people close to him. Jake Knapp is grieving the death of his girlfriend, Makena White, who passed away recently at the age of 28. That fact landed quickly on social feeds and in private messages, leaving fans and friends stunned.
The announcement of White’s death was made by a friend on her Instagram page. In the days following, friends and family have been trying to come to terms with the loss while honoring the life she lived. The cause of her death has not been publicly disclosed. With many questions and few public answers, the focus for now is on remembrance and support.
Knapp described White as selfless and filled with energy, emphasizing the difficulty of processing her loss for her family and friends. Those close to the couple are holding tight to memories and milestones. He expressed appreciation for the memories they shared and highlighted White’s thoughtful nature. From public appearances at events to candid social posts, the two made an impression on many who followed their story.
On the course and off it
Knapp, a golfer from California, played at UCLA and won his first PGA Tour title at the Mexico Open in 2024. That breakthrough brought him more attention and a growing fan base. White supported Knapp throughout his golfing career and was often seen cheering for him at events. She was more than a bystander — she was a visible part of his rise.
The couple began dating in August 2023 but went public with their relationship in February 2024 after Knapp’s success at the Mexico Open. Their timeline became part of the public narrative as Knapp climbed the ranks and collected wins. Knapp’s relationship with White had become a significant part of his life as he rose in the world golf rankings, winning two pro titles since the 2024 season began.
Her life beyond the gallery ropes
White graduated from McMaster University in Ontario, Canada, with a degree in communications and software engineering in 2019. After school, she moved into the professional world. She worked in surgical sales at LeMaitre Vascular since 2021. Colleagues and friends remember her drive and how she balanced a career with a love for sports and travel.
White was known for her passion for sports, particularly hockey, supporting the Boston Bruins and Ottawa Senators. Her sports fandom was part of her personality — loud, loyal, and emphatic. White often posted about her relationship with Knapp on social media, showcasing their adventures and her support for his career. Those posts charted the small moments that meant a lot to both of them.
Knapp played at the Cognizant Classic in 2025, where White celebrated his achievement of shooting a 59. That night and other milestone moments were captured and shared, building a public chronicle of their time together. In her last post, White celebrated two years of being together with Knapp, expressing love and pride in his achievements. The post featured affectionate messages and photos of the couple.
Tributes, memories and ways to honor her
Those who knew her best painted a picture of a person who lifted others up. A tribute from White’s friend described her as someone who made others feel special, overflowing with love and joy. In the same message, The friend encouraged donations in White’s memory to specific charitable causes as a way to honor her. Several people have pointed to gestures of support for family and causes she cared about as the best way to remember her impact.
The scene is a mix of sports headlines and very human grief. Fans of the game and fellow players are watching how Knapp navigates this heartbreaking loss, while the private circle around him copes behind closed doors.
What this all means for followers of the game
For golf fans who followed Knapp’s ascent from college to the PGA Tour, this moment is a reminder that players carry personal lives and deep losses away from the scoreboard. The coming weeks will likely be quieter on social channels as family and close friends focus on healing and memories.
FAQ
Q: What happened?
A: Jake Knapp is grieving the death of his girlfriend, Makena White, who passed away recently at the age of 28.
Q: Who announced her death?
A: The announcement of White’s death was made by a friend on her Instagram page.
Q: Has the cause been shared?
A: The cause of her death has not been publicly disclosed.
Q: How did Knapp describe her?
A: Knapp described White as selfless and filled with energy, emphasizing the difficulty of processing her loss for her family and friends.
Q: Did he comment on their time together?
A: He expressed appreciation for the memories they shared and highlighted White’s thoughtful nature.
Q: What are Knapp’s golf credentials?
A: Knapp, a golfer from California, played at UCLA and won his first PGA Tour title at the Mexico Open in 2024.
Q: Was White involved in supporting his career?
A: White supported Knapp throughout his golfing career and was often seen cheering for him at events.
Q: When did they start dating publicly?
A: The couple began dating in August 2023 but went public with their relationship in February 2024 after Knapp’s success at the Mexico Open.
Q: What was White’s education?
A: White graduated from McMaster University in Ontario, Canada, with a degree in communications and software engineering in 2019.
Q: Where did she work?
A: She worked in surgical sales at LeMaitre Vascular since 2021.
Q: What sports did she follow?
A: White was known for her passion for sports, particularly hockey, supporting the Boston Bruins and Ottawa Senators.
Q: Any notable moments together?
A: Knapp played at the Cognizant Classic in 2025, where White celebrated his achievement of shooting a 59.
Q: Did she post about their relationship?
A: White often posted about her relationship with Knapp on social media, showcasing their adventures and her support for his career.
Q: What was in her last post?
A: In her last post, White celebrated two years of being together with Knapp, expressing love and pride in his achievements.
Q: What did that post include?
A: The post featured affectionate messages and photos of the couple.
Q: How did friends describe her?
A: A tribute from White’s friend described her as someone who made others feel special, overflowing with love and joy.
Q: How did the friend suggest people honor her?
A: The friend encouraged donations in White’s memory to specific charitable causes as a way to honor her.
Q: How did this relationship affect Knapp’s career spotlight?
A: Knapp’s relationship with White had become a significant part of his life as he rose in the world golf rankings, winning two pro titles since the 2024 season began.
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Quick Facts Table
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Personal loss | Jake Knapp is grieving the death of his girlfriend, Makena White, who passed away recently at the age of 28. |
| Announcement | The announcement of White’s death was made by a friend on her Instagram page. |
| Cause | The cause of her death has not been publicly disclosed. |
| Knapp on White | Knapp described White as selfless and filled with energy, emphasizing the difficulty of processing her loss for her family and friends. |
| Shared memories | He expressed appreciation for the memories they shared and highlighted White’s thoughtful nature. |
| Career highlight | Knapp, a golfer from California, played at UCLA and won his first PGA Tour title at the Mexico Open in 2024. |
| Support | White supported Knapp throughout his golfing career and was often seen cheering for him at events. |
| Relationship timeline | The couple began dating in August 2023 but went public with their relationship in February 2024 after Knapp’s success at the Mexico Open. |
| Education | White graduated from McMaster University in Ontario, Canada, with a degree in communications and software engineering in 2019. |
| Work | She worked in surgical sales at LeMaitre Vascular since 2021. |
| Interests | White was known for her passion for sports, particularly hockey, supporting the Boston Bruins and Ottawa Senators. |
| Notable moment | Knapp played at the Cognizant Classic in 2025, where White celebrated his achievement of shooting a 59. |
| Social posts | White often posted about her relationship with Knapp on social media, showcasing their adventures and her support for his career. |
| Last post | In her last post, White celebrated two years of being together with Knapp, expressing love and pride in his achievements. The post featured affectionate messages and photos of the couple. |
| Tribute | A tribute from White’s friend described her as someone who made others feel special, overflowing with love and joy. The friend encouraged donations in White’s memory to specific charitable causes as a way to honor her. |
| Impact on Knapp | Knapp’s relationship with White had become a significant part of his life as he rose in the world golf rankings, winning two pro titles since the 2024 season began. |
Note: This piece focuses on the facts as they have been made public. Out of respect for family and friends, many personal details remain private at this time.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Boston 25 News: Jake Knapp Grieving
- Wikipedia: Jake Knapp
- Golf Monthly: Who is Jake Knapp’s Girlfriend, Makena White
- Google Search: Jake Knapp
- People: Who is Makena White, Jake Knapp’s Girlfriend
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Jake Knapp
- Heavy: Jake Knapp’s Girlfriend Makena White’s Last Instagram Post Before Death
- Google News: Makena White
- People: Jake Knapp’s Girlfriend Makena White Spoke About Health Issues Online Before Her Death at 28
- Boston Globe: Golf PGA Tour Cognizant Classic Jake Knapp
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