(NewsNation) — PGA Golfer Jake Knapp has made his first public comments since the death of his girlfriend, Makena White.
Knapp made the comments Saturday to PEOPLE.
“Makena was such a thoughtful person whose selflessness toward others is something I will always appreciate,” Knapp told the outlet.
“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,” he added.
A friend posted on White’s Instagram account announcing the 28-year-old had died earlier in the week.
White and Knapp began dating in August of 2023, but did not publicly announce their relationship until February 2024. After that, she was seen publicly supporting Knapp at several events.
White’s last post on Instagram, from Aug. 11, 2025, praised Knapp.
No information was available on White’s cause of death.