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American golf star Jake Knapp expressed the challenging reality of the recent loss of his girlfriend, Makena White, as he spoke about her passing for the first time.
During the opening day of this week’s Ryder Cup in New York, tragic news emerged about the death of White – who had been in a relationship with the 31-year-old Knapp since August 2023. She was only 28 years old.
The devastating news was confirmed via her Instagram, with details regarding the cause of death still yet to be revealed.
In the wake of the news, Knapp honored his ‘thoughtful’ and ‘selfless’ girlfriend through a heartfelt tribute.
‘Makena embodied thoughtfulness and a selfless nature that I will forever cherish,’ stated the PGA Tour golfer, who is not participating in this week’s Ryder Cup for Team USA, to the Daily Mail on Friday night.
‘We shared so many unforgettable memories together and now that she’s no longer with us, it’s a tough reality to comprehend.
Jake Knapp says the death of his girlfriend Makena White is a ‘tough reality to comprehend’
White – who had been dating Knapp, 31, since August 2023 – has passed away at the age of 28
‘She had an incredible family, great friends, and her fun, outgoing energy will be missed by all of us.
‘Describing how difficult this is for those who knew Mak, especially her family and friends, is an understatement, and they deserve privacy and respect during this challenging period.’
Knapp and White went public with their relationship after he picked up his first PGA Tour win at the Mexico Open in February 2024.
White was a native of Ottawa, Ontario, and graduated with degrees in communications and software engineering in 2019 from McMaster University.
She worked in surgical sales – primarily providing equipment to vascular and cardiac surgeons.
Numerous tributes to White appeared beneath the Instagram announcement of her passing, which stated: ‘Hello everyone – I’m a friend of Makena, sharing with a heavy heart that Makena passed away earlier this week. She is profoundly missed by her dad, family, friends, and of course her beloved pets, 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.’
The post continued: ‘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.’
Knapp and White went public with their relationship after his first PGA Tour win last year
The American golf star has been left devastated by the sudden loss of his partner this week
White branded him her ‘sweet boy’ in a heartbreaking final post on Instagram last month
CBS Sports course reporter Amanda Balionis was one of many who paid their respects, saying: ‘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.’
‘What a light she was,’ golf writer and podcaster Dan Rapoport wrote.
As the golf world comes to terms with her tragic death, a number of fans were quick to pull up an emotional message she recently wrote for Knapp.
In an Instagram post last month, she told her boyfriend: ‘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 response, Knapp commented two ‘heart emojis’.
The post had some heartwarming pictures of the couple throughout the season – with the final one showing her lipstick marks on one of his course guides.
