By Julio Cesar Valdera Morales

Copyright newsweek

The announcement of the death of Makena White, the girlfriend of PGA Tour player Jake Knapp and a true fan favorite in the world of golf, has overshadowed the opening day of the Ryder Cup.

The news was announced on Makena’s own Instagram profile, in a note written by one of her friends and posted on Friday. According to the post, her death occurred earlier this week.

“Makena was one of a kind,” the note reads. “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.”

No further details about the cause of death have been released. Knapp has not made any statements about the matter.

White was originally from Ottawa, Canada. After graduating from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, with a degree in communications and software engineering, she began working in sales. She worked for Lemaitre, a US-based manufacturer of vascular and cardiac surgery devices.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Makena White (@makenawhite91)

According to People, she and Knapp began dating in August 2023. In February 2024, the player won the Mexico Open at Vidanta, his first PGA Tour title, with White in the audience. It was there that their relationship became known to the golfing world.

White quickly rose in popularity among fans of the sport, reaching more than 12,000 followers on Instagram and more than 9,000 on X. She frequently posted details related to Knapp’s professional career and was a regular presence at the tournaments in which he competed.

A little over two months ago, White was in Scotland when Knapp played in the Scottish Open. She was also present at other important moments in the player’s career, such as the Cognizant Classic last March, where Knapp carded a round of 59 and finished tied for 6th.

Well-known CBS Sports journalist Amanda Balionis reacted to this news with the following comment:

“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.”

More Golf: Paige Spiranac Claps Back at Chamblee Over Brutal Bryson DeChambeau Jab