American golf star Jake Knapp has admitted the sudden loss of his girlfriend Makena White is a ‘tough reality to comprehend’ after speaking out on her death for the first time.
On the opening day of this week’s Ryder Cup in New York, it was tragically announced that White – who had been dating Knapp, 31, since August 2023 – has passed away at the age of 28.
The devastating news was confirmed via her Instagram, with details regarding the cause of death still yet to be revealed.
Hours after White’s death was announced, Knapp paid tribute to his ‘thoughtful’ and ‘selfless’ late girlfriend in an emotional statement on her passing.
‘Makena was such a thoughtful person whose selflessness toward others is something I will always appreciate,’ the PGA Tour golfer told Daily Mail on Friday evening. ‘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.
Jake Knapp says the death of his girlfriend Makena White is a ‘tough reality to comprehend’
‘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.’
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.