American golfer Jake Knapp has expressed that coming to terms with the unexpected death of his girlfriend, Makena White, is an incredibly challenging reality to grasp as he addressed her passing publicly for the first time.

During the start of this week’s Ryder Cup event in New York, it was sadly revealed that White, who had been in a relationship with Knapp, 31, since August 2023, died 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.

Shortly after the news broke, Knapp honored his late girlfriend, describing her as ‘thoughtful’ and ‘selfless,’ in a heartfelt statement regarding her death.

‘Makena was such a thoughtful person whose selflessness toward others is something I will always appreciate,’ the PGA Tour golfer, who is not on USA’s Ryder Cup team this week, 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. 

‘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.

Tributes were paid to White underneath the Instagram post confirming her death, which read: ‘Hi everyone – this is Makena’s friend, writing with the heaviest heart to share that Makena passed away earlier this week. She is already so deeply missed by her Dad, her family, her friends, and of course by [her dogs] Nelly and Fergie.

‘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.’

The post continued: ‘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. If you would like to honour Makena’s memory, donations to the Bruyère Brain Health & Memory Clinic or the Griffin Bell Endowment Fund would mean a lot.’

CBS Sports course reporter Amanda Balionis was one of many who paid their respects, saying: ‘Getting to know Makena was one of my favorite parts of this last year. So much laughter, passion and she never met a stranger. I will miss her light… it touched so many.’

‘What a light she was,’ golf writer and podcaster Dan Rapoport wrote. 

As the golf world comes to terms with her tragic death, a number of fans were quick to pull up an emotional message she recently wrote for Knapp.

In an Instagram post last month, she told her boyfriend: ‘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’. In response, Knapp commented two ‘heart emojis’.

The post had some heartwarming pictures of the couple throughout the season – with the final one showing her lipstick marks on one of his course guides.