One of the most tragic stories to reverberate through professional golf in recent years is what happened to Jake Knapp’s girlfriend. After months of openly discussing her health issues on the internet, Makena White, who was only 28 years old, unexpectedly passed away. Her candor about overcoming tachycardia, or an unusually high heart rate, demonstrated the vulnerability and incredible fortitude of a person who is committed to living a humorous, brave, and dignified life.
She shared her story on social media with an honesty that is remarkably similar to that of other celebrities who have demystified health issues through their platforms. She joked about the irony when she posted in May about wearing a Holter monitor at a conference on heart surgery. A month later, she joked, “By dialled, I mean tachycardic,” as she showed her Apple Watch showing a heart rate of 133. Because they normalized discussions about hidden conditions that frequently go unnoticed until they become critical, these glimpses were especially groundbreaking.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jake Knapp |
| Date of Birth | May 31, 1994 |
| Birthplace | Costa Mesa, California, U.S. |
| Profession | Professional Golfer, PGA Tour Winner |
| Career Highlights | Winner, 2024 Mexico Open; Shot 59 at 2025 Cognizant Classic |
| Relationship | Girlfriend: Makena White (d. Sept 2025) |
| Makena White | Born 1997, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Former medical sales representative |
| Cause of Death | Not confirmed officially; she publicly shared heart condition (tachycardia) |
| Age at Passing | 28 years old |
On September 26, 2025, a close friend posted on Instagram to announce her passing, calling her “one of a kind” and someone who “had this rare way of making you feel special.” According to the tribute, she was a woman whose contagious laughter and overflowing heart turned everyday experiences into treasured memories. Being loved by Makena was characterized as a gift for her loved ones, one that was full of boundless happiness and lively vitality.
After his personal life took a drastic turn, Jake Knapp, whose career has been booming thanks to victories like the Mexico Open and his incredible 59 at the Cognizant Classic, was forced to take a break. He spoke out in a statement to People magazine hours after the news broke, describing her as “such a thoughtful person whose selflessness toward others is something I will always appreciate.” His words were incredibly honest and balanced a personal loss with the public expectations that come with being a professional athlete.
When paired with career success, this type of tragedy produces a story that is both incredibly relatable and incredibly human. Although Knapp’s loss highlights that no amount of talent or discipline can protect someone from life’s unexpected turns, fans frequently view golfers through the prism of trophies, swings, and scorecards. The experience demonstrates how grief entwines with careers performed on large stages and is remarkably similar to what other public figures, such as Michael Jordan, went through following personal losses.
Beyond individual grief, there is a larger significance to what happened to Jake Knapp’s girlfriend. It draws attention to youth heart health, a topic that is frequently overlooked due to the belief that these conditions only impact older populations. According to the Mayo Clinic, tachycardia can occasionally be benign but in more extreme cases, it can result in heart failure, strokes, or sudden cardiac death. It’s possible that Makena’s openness about her symptoms will inspire others to take their own health seriously and consult a doctor sooner rather than later.
Celebrities and those close to them are increasingly using platforms to humanize struggles, which is reflected in her willingness to share unvarnished experiences online. Serena Williams has talked candidly about life-threatening complications during childbirth, Selena Gomez has talked openly about lupus, and Chadwick Boseman, despite being more private, became a symbol of perseverance in the face of illness after his passing. Makena’s posts are part of an expanding collection of voices that are raising awareness and empathy while breaking the taboo around health.
Her support was clearly linked to Knapp’s wins, so her absence is both personal and professional for him. She celebrated the very events that shaped his career and was present for significant turning points. She proudly remarked on “watching you live out your dreams” in one post, serving as a reminder of how closely an athlete’s personal life and career are frequently entwined. It’s extremely tough to lose a partner like that at a critical juncture in his career, and how he handles this loss could influence his future.
Grief has a complicated impact on athletes, as demonstrated by sports history. Others, like Andre Agassi, used personal struggles as a springboard for reinvention, while others, like Brett Favre following the death of his father, created performances that defined their careers. Depending on Knapp’s ability to process and channel the pain into his journey, this tragedy could either become a burden or a source of motivation.
Fans have felt the immediate and profound effects. Messages of support, condolences, and tributes flooded social media platforms. Communities that once cheered Knapp on for his wins are now providing him consolation, demonstrating how sports fans have significantly enhanced their capacity to act as sympathetic listeners during difficult times. It illustrates how fan culture can be so adaptable, going from joyous to comforting in an instant.
Friends and family have already started fundraising in Makena’s honor, urging contributions to medical programs like the Bruyère Brain Health & Memory Clinic. These initiatives are especially helpful in turning private sorrow into a public good, guaranteeing that her story advances medical knowledge and research. These projects will continue to have an impact long after she is gone, much like foundations established in honor of other young lives lost too soon.
Both the tragedy of this personal low and the genius of his professional highs will unavoidably frame Knapp’s journey from here. Even though his story is painful, it speaks to us because it emphasizes how unpredictable life can be and how resilient we must be to keep going. Supporters, sponsors, and other athletes will observe not only his performance on the golf course but also how he bears Makena’s memory with him.
