Golfer Jake Knapp on the death of his girlfriend: It's hard to accept this reality.

According to The Sun: Golf star Jake Knapp shared the tragedy — his girlfriend Makena White suddenly passed away.

The death of Makena, who was only 28 years old, was announced on Friday.

This sad news was shared by a friend of Makena via her Instagram.

After the tragedy was confirmed, Knapp spoke to Mail:

“Makena was such a caring person, and I will always appreciate her selflessness to others. We shared so many unforgettable memories together, and now, with her gone, it’s a harsh reality to accept.

“She had a wonderful family, devoted friends, and her bright, joyful energy will be missed by all of us.

“It’s just impossible for everyone who knew Mak, especially for her family and friends, who deserve respect and privacy during this difficult time.”

In a statement posted on White's Instagram page, it was noted:

“Hello everyone – this is a friend of Makena, writing with a heavy heart to inform you that Makena left us earlier this week.

“She is already greatly missed by her father, family, friends, and of course, Nelly and Fergie.”

“Makena was truly one of a kind. She had a rare ability to make you feel special, and her big heart was always overflowing with love.”

Knapp added:

“Loving Makena was a gift; a gift filled with countless moments of laughter, great joy, and a healthy dose of chaos as we tried to keep up with her travel schedule.

“If you want to honor Makena's memory, contributions to the Briar Health Brain Health Center and Memory Clinic or the Griffin Bell Foundation Endowment Fund would be incredibly meaningful.

“We love you, Mak. We will miss you always, and we will look for you in the sunset.”

Makena and Jake had been dating for the last two years. Their relationship became known after Knapp, a golfer currently ranked 80th in the world, won his first PGA Tour victory at the Mexico Open in 2024.

Makena was from Ottawa, attended McMaster University, where she earned degrees in communications and software in 2019. After that, she worked in medical device sales, providing equipment to vascular and cardiothoracic surgeons.

She was also an active sports fan and regularly supported her hometown hockey team — the Ottawa Senators.

Six weeks before her tragic death, Makena sent an emotional message to her boyfriend on social media. Her last Instagram post contained lines:

“Year 2 of first hugs at the championship and watching you pursue your dreams.

“Season two in the books – forever grateful to be with you on this journey, so much more to come!”

“I love you, babe, you make it so easy to be proud.”

The tragedy of losing a young woman who left a mark on many hearts has sparked a wave of sympathy among her friends, family, and fans. Knapp and others close to her continue to share memories of her kindness and love of life, honoring her memory.

A community that is experiencing this loss has the opportunity to support the family and honor Makena through charitable contributions that will help others facing similar challenges.