NEED TO KNOW
\nGolfer Jake Knapp’s girlfriend, Makena White, is dead at age 28A friend of White’s confirmed her death in a post on Instagram on Friday, Sept. 26White is remembered for her “rare way of making you feel special” and her “huge heart”<\/p>\n
PGA golfer Jake Knapp<\/a>‘s girlfriend, Makena White<\/a>, has died at age 28, her friend announced on social media.\n<\/p>\n A post<\/a> from a friend on White’s Instagram account on Friday, Sept. 26 says, “Hi everyone – this is Makena\u2019s friend, writing with the heaviest heart to share that Makena passed away earlier this week.”\n<\/p>\n “She is already so deeply missed by her Dad, her family, her friends, and of course by Nelly and Fergie,” the statement said, the latter referring to White’s two dogs.\n<\/p>\n White was “one of a kind” and someone who “had this rare way of making you feel special,” her friend said in a statement, adding that “her huge heart was always overflowing with love.”\n<\/p>\n Jake Knapp and Makena White on Feb, 27, 2025.<\/p>\n \u00a0Ben Jared\/PGA TOUR\/Getty<\/p>\n The statement added, “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,” and encouraged those who “would like to honour” White to make donations to Bruy\u00e8re Brain Health & Memory Clinic<\/a> or the Griffin Bell Endowment Fund.\n<\/p>\n The Bruy\u00e8re Brain Health & Memory Clinic previously shared that White’s mother, Crystal, started going to the clinic 2018 and was eventually diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease. Her mom died in April 2022, according to White’s Instagram.\n<\/p>\n “We love you Mak. We\u2019ll miss you always, and we\u2019ll be looking for you in the sunset \ud83d\udc9b,” the statement concluded.\n<\/p>\n Jake Knapp and Makena White during the award ceremony after winning the Mexico Open golf tournament on February 25, 2024.<\/p>\n Fernando Llano\/AP<\/p>\n Additional information about the cause of White’s death has not been made available.\n<\/p>\n PEOPLE has contacted representatives for Knapp for comment. Knapp was not selected to join the U.S. team for the Ryder Cup, currently going on now in Bethpage, N.Y. He last played in the FedEx St. Jude Championship from Aug. 7-10, finishing tied for 62nd.\n<\/p>\n