Makena White dies at 28, her final Instagram post offered a touching tribute to boyfriend and PGA winner Jake Knapp

Makena White, 28, has died, leaving friends and family mourning her sudden loss. Her death was announced on Sept. 26 through her Instagram account by a close friend, who described her as “one of a kind, with a huge heart overflowing with love.” The cause of her death has not been disclosed. White’s final Instagram post, shared on Aug. 11, highlighted her relationship with PGA golfer Jake Knapp.

The post featured four photos of the couple walking together. White wrote about Knapp pursuing his golf dreams, captioning the images: “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 ��.”

The pair had been dating for over two years and went public with their relationship around the time Knapp won his first PGA Tour title in February 2024 at the Mexico Open. Since the FedEx St. Jude Championship concluded on Aug. 10, Knapp has not competed in another tournament.


White grew up in Canada and attended McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, before pursuing a career in medical device sales. In the Instagram post announcing her passing on Sept. 26, a close friend celebrated her kindness and generosity:

"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. 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."

In memory of White, friends encouraged donations to the Bruyère Brain Health & Memory Clinic or the Griffin Bell Endowment Fund. White’s mother, Crystal, had visited the clinic before her death in 2022, highlighting a poignant family connection to the cause.