Pro Golfer Jake Knapp Breaks Silence Surrounding Girlfriend Makena White’s Mysterious Death

One day after the golf world was shocked by the news of his girlfriend Makena White’s death at age 28, PGA Tour winner Jake Knapp has broken his silence.

“Makena was such a thoughtful person whose selflessness toward others is something I will always appreciate,” Knapp, 31, told the Daily Mail. “We shared so many unforgettable memories together and now that she’s no longer with us, it’s a tough reality to comprehend. She had an incredible family, great friends, and her fun, outgoing energy will be missed by all of us. 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.”

White’s death was confirmed Friday via a post on her own Instagram page, written by a friend, though no information about her cause of death was revealed. A Canada native, White worked in surgical sales and began dating Knapp in 2023. She was there to support him when he snagged his first PGA Tour win at the Mexico Open in 2024, and from that time on, their relationship was public, with White often sharing pictures of the couple with sweet messages on social media.

Most recently, she posted a carousel of snaps of the pair on August 11, writing, “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.”