You knew her as the girl who flew countries to catch Jake Knapp in his crowning moment in Mexico, the girl who wiped her tears as Jake joined the sub-60 club, and the girl who received Knapp’s first fairway hugs. But beyond the golfing cameras, Makena White was a lot more than a partner. She was the kind who lived for sunsets, cracked her father into laughter, gave her boyfriend the ick for the thrill of it, and more importantly…

“Makena was such a thoughtful person whose selflessness toward others” is something that lives with Knapp. When she was not on the golf course, celebrating her boyfriend, White worked as a medical sales rep. She described her role as ‘caring for the patients’ and working to ‘change their lives for the better.’ But earlier this week, the world had to bid her goodbye, aged 28, due to an undisclosed cause—a void that the 2024 Mexico Open Champ is still finding hard to comprehend. 

“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,” he wrote in an exclusive statement to PEOPLE. Still grappling with the weight of it, Knapp also made a solemn plea. “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.”

Notably, the two had started dating when Knapp was still working his way up to the PGA Tour card in 2023. The golfer was only just getting out of a slump on the Korn Ferry Tour after practicing all day, while also working as a bouncer at a club at night. White had taken his hand then, and never let go.  

She would say, ‘in case you need to find me, I will likely be on an airport floor somewhere in the world.’ In juggling her work and joining Knapp on his tours, wins or not, White even caught seven flights in two days’ time at one point. On the days her work in Ottawa, Canada—her native place—kept her busy, Data Golf saw an insane amount of screen time. In fact, heartbreakingly, White’s very last Instagram post before her passing was about her boyfriend. 

“Year 2 of first fairway hugs & watching you live out your dreams 🫶🏼 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 💛,” White had written on August 10, clearly indicating that her life revolved around her loved ones. Knapp knew that, too.

“The most supportive, caring, loving and thoughtful person I know,” the golfer had written in a fitting message celebrating her birthday. White’s friend echoed the same sentiment as they revealed the news of her passing on Instagram on Friday morning. 

The post called her one of a kind, someone who had a way of making you feel special. “To be loved by Makena was a gift; one that came with endless laughter, so much joy, and a healthy sprinkling of chaos.” Her social media says as much. Losing her passport, sharing a banter with her father, attempting to juggle on a makeshift one-wheel balancer; she has shared it all. 

CBS reporter Amanda Balionis, who got to meet her last year, also agreed with the words in the post. She remembered White’s light and laughter, saying she never met a stranger. “Getting to know Makena was one of my favorite parts of this last year,” the journalist further wrote. Birdie Little Secrets podcast also dedicated a post calling her a friend, and thanking her for believing in them even before they did. 

Mekana White evidently touched numerous lives in her 28 years. In her memory, those wishing to honor her were encouraged to donate to the Bruyère Brain Health & Memory Clinic or the Griffin Bell Endowment Fund—two causes close to her heart, especially after the loss of her mother to Alzheimer’s in 2022.