Jake Knapp’s girlfriend, Makena White, very sadly passed away in late September 2025 at the age of 28.

Quick Scoop: what happened to Jake Knapp’s girlfriend?

  • Multiple news outlets reported that Makena White , who had been dating PGA Tour golfer Jake Knapp for about two years, died at 28.
  • The news was shared publicly through a post on her Instagram account written by a friend, saying she had “passed away earlier this week” and was deeply missed by her family, friends, and her two dogs, Nelly and Fergie.
  • Jake Knapp later released an emotional statement describing her as thoughtful, selfless, and full of outgoing energy, and said it was very hard to process the loss.
  • As of the latest reports, no official cause of death has been publicly disclosed , and both her friends and Jake have asked for privacy for her family and loved ones.

What’s known publicly

Their relationship

  • Reports say they began dating around August 2023 and went public when she was seen celebrating with him after his win at the 2024 Mexico Open.
  • She was frequently spotted supporting him at tournaments, including the Cognizant Classic and the FedEx St. Jude Championship in 2025.
  • In August 2025, she posted a heartfelt message on Instagram marking their “second season” together, saying she loved him and was proud to watch him live out his dreams.

Announcement of her death

  • A friend posted from Makena’s Instagram account to inform followers that she had died earlier that week and was “already so deeply missed” by her dad, family, friends, and her dogs.
  • The wording focused on honoring her memory and did not mention any details about how she died.
  • Several outlets then confirmed the news and identified her as Jake Knapp’s girlfriend.

Jake Knapp’s response

  • In a statement sent through his management, Knapp said it was “an understatement” how hard it was to process and called Makena incredibly thoughtful and selfless toward others.
  • He emphasized that her fun, outgoing energy would be missed and specifically asked that her family and friends be given privacy and respect during this time.

Cause of death and speculation

  • Major news organizations and tributes note that the cause of Makena White’s death has not been made public.
  • Some forum and social media discussions speculate about what might have happened, but these are not confirmed and often contradict each other.
  • Out of respect for her and her family, it’s more appropriate to stick to verified information and acknowledge that the exact circumstances have not been officially disclosed.

Broader context and tributes

  • Coverage describes Makena as warm, energetic, and “one of a kind,” someone who made people feel special and filled rooms with her presence.
  • One tribute video and posts mention that those wishing to honor her were encouraged to donate to causes connected to her and her family, such as brain health and childhood cancer research, reflecting values important to her life story.
  • Within the golf world, her death was treated as a major emotional moment, with fans and commentators sending condolences to Knapp and her family.

TL;DR:
Makena White, Jake Knapp’s girlfriend, died in late September 2025 at 28 years old; the news was shared by a friend on her Instagram, Jake issued a heartfelt statement mourning her, and as of now the cause of death has not been publicly revealed, with her family and friends asking for privacy.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.