THE girlfriend of top US golfer Jake Knapp sent a heartbreaking message in her final post before her tragic death.
It was announced Makena White had passed away on Friday afternoon at the age of just 28.
Jake Knapp’s girlfriend Makena White sent love message to him on Instagram[/caption]
Knapp with Makena as the walk together earlier this year before her tragic passing[/caption]
She died earlier this week in mysterious circumstances.
The devastating news comes on the first day of the Ryder Cup as Team USA take on Europe.
Just six weeks before her death, Makena sent a love message to Knapp on Instagram.
The post was the final one before the tragic announcement on Friday.
It told of how well their relationship was going and how she was looking ahead to “many more” years together.
“Year 2 of first fairway hugs & watching you live out your dreams,” she wrote.
“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.”
Earlier today a friend took over her Instagram account to announce her passing.
“Hi everyone – this is Makena’s friend, writing with the heaviest heart to share that Makena passed away earlier this week,” it said.
“She is already so deeply missed by her Dad, her family, her friends, and of course by 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.
“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.
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“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.
“We love you Mak. We’ll miss you always, and we’ll be looking for you in the sunset.”
Tributes poured in from around the golfing world after the news of her death.
CBS Sports course reporter Amanda Balionis said: “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.”
Meanwhile, golf writer and podcaster Dan Rapoport added: “What a light she was.”
White had been dating PGA Tour pro Knapp – who is ranked 80th in the world – for the last two years.
They went public with their relationship after he got his first PGA Tour win at the Mexico Open last year.
A native of Ottawa, Ontario, White graduated from McMaster University with degrees in communications and software engineering in 2019.
She went on to work in surgical sales – primarily providing equipment to vascular and cardiac surgeons.
She was also an avid sports fan and regularly supported her hometown hockey team, the Ottawa Senators.
Having grown up a golf fan, White rediscovered her love for the game after falling for Knapp.
The 31-year-old golfer went professional in 2016 and spent three years playing on the PGA Tour Canada before returning in 2022.
He also took part in the Korn Ferry Tour in 2020, 2021, and 2023.
To support his golf career, Knapp worked as a bouncer at a restaurant which doubled as a nightclub in his hometown of Costa Mesa, California, from 2021 to 2022.
