The girlfriend of PGA Tour pro Jake Knapp, Makena White, has died aged 28, it was announced on Friday.

The news was announced on White’s Instagram account on the opening day of the Ryder Cup.

It said: ‘Hi everyone – this is Makena’s friend, writing with the heaviest heart to share that Makena passed away earlier this week. 

‘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.’

No other details regarding the cause of death or where White was when she died were revealed. Knapp, 31, did not qualify for this year’s Ryder Cup.

The Instagram message read: ‘Being loved by Makena was truly a blessing, bringing endless laughter, immense joy, and a good dose of chaos as we attempted to keep up with her busy travel plans.

‘If you wish to honor Makena’s legacy, contributions to the Bruyère Brain Health & Memory Clinic or the Griffin Bell Endowment Fund would be greatly appreciated.

Makena White, the girlfriend of American PGA Tour golfer Jake Knapp, has died

The 28-year-old worked in surgical sales and was an avid sports fan

‘We love you Mak. We’ll miss you always, and we’ll be looking for you in the sunset.’

Tributes were paid to White underneath the post. 

CBS Sports reporter Amanda Balionis remarked: ‘One of the highlights of this past year was getting to know Makena. So much laughter, enthusiasm, and she was never without a friend. Her vibrant spirit touched many, and I will deeply miss it.’

‘What a light she was,’ golf writer and podcaster Dan Rapoport wrote. 

Knapp and White publicly announced their relationship after the golfer clinched his first PGA Tour victory at the Mexico Open last February. They had been together since August 2023.

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.

White and Knapp took their relationship public in 2024 after he won his first PGA Tour event

Beyond her work, White was an avid sports fan – especially hockey where she cheered for her hometown Ottawa Senators.

White once said that she was a good golfer as a kid, ‘But from 16-21 I picked up a club maybe 5x total, I had no interest.’

But after falling in love with Knapp, she was said to have rediscovered her interest in the sport.

Her last Instagram post praised Knapp’s conclusion to his second PGA Tour season: ‘Year 2 of celebrating first fairway hugs and watching you fulfill your dreams. The second season is done – eternally thankful to be on this journey with you. Here’s to many more! I loooooove you, sweet boy, you make being proud so easy.’

Knapp embarked on his professional career in 2016, competing on the PGA Tour Canada from 2016-2019 and once more in 2022. He also participated in the Korn Ferry Tour in 2020, 2021, and 2023.

He earned his PGA Tour card in 2024 – winning his first event on the tour in just his fifth start.

Last year, Knapp had three top-10 finishes: a T6 at the Cognizant Classic in Florida, a T4 at the Rocket Classic in Detroit, and a T3 at the 3M Open in Minnesota.

He reached the FedEx Cup play-offs, being eliminated after finishing tied for 62nd at the FedEx St Jude Championship in Memphis.