Jake Knapp’s Girlfriend Makena White Dies at 28: The Truth

The world of golf is no stranger to drama, triumph, and heartbreak. But few stories have shaken the community as deeply as the sudden passing of Makena White, the 28-year-old girlfriend of rising PGA star Jake Knapp. Her death, coming at the height of Knapp’s career surge, has cast a shadow over what should have been the most exciting and rewarding period of his professional life.

Behind the headlines of Jake’s bogey-free rounds, thrilling finishes, and PGA milestones lies a love story that captivated fans — and now, a tragedy that has left many asking questions about the fragility of life, love, and health.

This is not just the story of a professional athlete coping with grief. It is also the story of a woman who became a beacon of light and positivity, despite quietly battling a health condition that very few truly understood.

A Love Story in the Spotlight

Jake Knapp’s career trajectory has been nothing short of spectacular. From his breakout PGA Tour victory at the Mexico Open to his electrifying 59 at the Cognizant Classic in Palm Beach, his performances in 2024 and 2025 solidified his place as one of golf’s rising stars.

But behind those statistics and scorecards was Makena. The couple met in August 2023, just before Knapp’s career exploded into the mainstream. When she appeared at the seventh hole of his Mexico Open victory, her radiant joy captured on camera turned into a viral moment — one that showed fans the human side of golf’s newest talent.

Her reaction wasn’t polished or rehearsed. It was raw, authentic, and overflowing with love. Fans instantly connected with her energy, and from that moment on, Makena became an integral part of Knapp’s public journey.

As Knapp’s career blossomed, so did their relationship. Makena, a medical sales representative from California, became a fixture at tournaments, often seen smiling in the gallery or celebrating alongside Jake. On social media, she referred to their whirlwind romance as “the craziest year ever.”

What she could not have known then was that this would also be her last year.

The Quiet Health Battle

Behind her radiant public persona, Makena was privately dealing with tachycardia — a condition where the heart beats abnormally fast, often exceeding 100 beats per minute even at rest.

At first, her posts about the condition seemed casual. She mentioned feeling anxious about medical procedures, but fans assumed it was nothing serious. After all, tachycardia can often be managed with medication, procedures, or lifestyle adjustments. Few could have imagined that it would play a role in her untimely passing.

Her social media updates told a deeper story, though. Before Jake’s RBC Canadian Open appearance, she wrote about feeling “crippling anxiety” over upcoming medical procedures. To many, it seemed like the nerves of someone balancing a health issue with a busy life. In hindsight, those words paint a haunting picture of a woman carrying far more fear than she let on.

What makes Makena’s struggle so heartbreaking is how she continued to put Jake and others first. Despite her own worries, she was always present at tournaments, always cheering, always supporting. Her ability to prioritize others while quietly managing her health battle is something Jake himself later described as her defining characteristic.

The Tragic Timing

Makena’s death was announced on September 26, 2025, just as the Ryder Cup — one of the most prestigious events in golf — was beginning.

A close friend broke the news with a post on her Instagram account, writing with “the heaviest heart” that Makena had passed away. The timing felt cruelly ironic: as the golf world celebrated, one of its brightest new stars was facing the darkest moment of his life.

The post described Makena as “one of a kind, with a heart so big it overflowed.” These words echoed in tributes that poured in from friends, family, and fans alike.

For Jake, the initial response was silence. His grief was evident in the absence of words. When he finally spoke to People magazine days later, his statement revealed both the depth of his loss and the love that had defined their relationship.

“Makena was such a thoughtful person whose selflessness toward others is something I will always appreciate. We shared so many unforgettable memories together, and now that she’s no longer with us, it’s a tough reality to comprehend.”

His words resonated with fans around the world. They weren’t just the reflections of a grieving partner — they were a testament to a relationship built on mutual respect, joy, and support.

More Than Just “The Girlfriend”

It is easy in sports media to reduce partners of athletes to footnotes: the one in the stands, the one celebrating, the one cheering from the sidelines. But Makena was so much more.

She became an anchor for Jake during the high-pressure world of professional golf. Friends revealed she was planning to travel more with him, eager to be by his side as his career reached new heights. They were already envisioning a future together — a life that would extend beyond tournaments, trophies, and scorecards.

Her presence was magnetic. Even those who met her briefly — tournament volunteers, reporters, fellow players — described her as unforgettable. She had a way of making others feel seen, remembered, and valued.

The loss of someone like Makena is not just personal for Jake. It is a loss for everyone who experienced her warmth, her laughter, and her generosity.

Unanswered Questions

The official cause of her death has not been publicly confirmed. But her history with tachycardia raises heartbreaking possibilities. Heart conditions, even when not immediately life-threatening, can sometimes lead to sudden complications.

Was her anxiety about her medical procedures rooted in an awareness that her condition was more serious than people realized? Did she sense something others didn’t?

These questions may never be answered. What remains clear is that her passing underscores how fragile health can be, and how even conditions that appear manageable can carry unseen risks.

The Road Ahead for Jake Knapp

For Jake, the future now feels very different. His victories will still matter, but they will be shadowed by absence. Every birdie, every clutch putt, every trophy will carry with it the bittersweet reminder that the person who celebrated him most enthusiastically is no longer there.

Athletes often talk about needing a strong support system. For Jake, Makena had become that foundation. Now, he must find a way to move forward without her.

The golf community has already begun rallying around him. Fans, fellow players, and commentators have expressed condolences and support, creating a circle of empathy around a man facing unimaginable loss.

But the reality is that grief is deeply personal. Jake’s path will not just be about continuing his career — it will be about learning to live without the person who had become central to his happiness.

A Legacy Beyond Golf

Makena’s story does not end with her passing. Her life, though short, carries lessons that resonate far beyond the world of golf.

She reminds us that love can transform ordinary moments into extraordinary ones. She shows us the strength it takes to put others first, even when facing personal struggles. And she challenges us to live authentically — with joy, with vulnerability, and with an open heart.

Her legacy is not just as Jake Knapp’s girlfriend. It is as a woman who lived fully, loved deeply, and left an impact on everyone she met.

In the end, that may be the greatest victory of all.