Since making his PGA Tour debut, Jake Knapp’s career has taken off, but what has coincided with his recent ascent is the prominence of his girlfriend, Makena White, who is subtly but resolutely redefining what it means to stand next to a rising sports star without becoming less visible. As Knapp has been making memorable rounds and birdies, White has been developing her own persona—one that is both professionally successful and truly captivating.
White, who is originally from Ottawa, Canada, offers the golf world a novel fusion of intelligence and charm. She holds a degree in software engineering and communications from McMaster University, and she has built an especially remarkable career in surgical device sales. She has been employed by LeMaitre since 2021, providing medical equipment that needs to operate with extreme precision to cardiovascular surgeons. By all standards, her role is very dependable and demanding, much like Knapp’s focus on the tee box.
Key Details About Jake Knapp & Makena White
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Makena White |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Profession | Medical Sales Representative (Surgical Devices) |
| Education | McMaster University (Honors in Communications & Software Engineering) |
| Relationship with Knapp | Began dating in August 2023, public debut February 2024 |
| Public Appearance | Mexico Open 2024 (Knapp’s first PGA Tour win) |
| Social Media | Instagram: @makenawhite91 |
| Sports Interests | Ottawa Senators, Boston Bruins, Golf |
| Viral Moment | Reaction to Knapp’s 59 at 2025 Cognizant Classic |
White is a prime example of a change in the way that sports partnerships are viewed by upholding her own professional identity. She doesn’t go to competitions as a spectator. Instead, she celebrates the person she loves while navigating high-stakes situations in her line of work—never lowering herself to the shadow of another. A more contemporary form of couplehood in professional sports is effectively depicted by this balance.
Knapp’s historic victory at the Mexico Open in February 2024 marked a significant public turning point in their relationship, which had started out privately in August 2023. PGA Tour cameras captured White’s excitement as she ran across the green to embrace him as he sealed his first victory. The scene wasn’t practiced. It was pure feeling, a mixture of adrenaline, pride, and incredulity. Her response struck viewers as especially poignant, primarily due to its spontaneity and lack of polish. She wasn’t trying to impress the photographers. She was just there.
Knapp’s incredible 59 at the 2025 Cognizant Classic further demonstrated this authenticity. White’s presence on the scene gave the story more depth as fans nationwide watched history unfold. Her live response went viral very fast after being shared on social media. She was clearly shocked and said, “That was crazy!” before assuming a different persona and jokingly questioning Knapp about his performance. The sentimental yet humorous moment struck a chord with golfers everywhere because it felt genuine rather than staged.
White has established himself as a fixture of intrigue in the context of increasing media attention. She does, however, handle the limelight with remarkable poise. Her tone on Instagram is self-aware and humorously uncensored. The line, “An underwhelming follow but a really good time,” in her bio subtly alludes to her carefree attitude toward internet celebrity. She writes about hockey, her job, travel, and golf, of course, but never with the overly polished appearance that characterizes influencer culture. Her writing is intimate and frequently endearingly odd.
She also discusses her relationship to the sport in a refreshingly open manner. She played golf a lot as a child, but by the time she was sixteen, she had completely stopped playing. She said she became “obsessed again” in 2021 after rediscovering her interest. Her candor regarding her status as a returning amateur is especially charming. She doesn’t hold herself up. She takes part. Additionally, her participation has been extremely helpful in introducing a new type of energy to the PGA Tour’s male-dominated atmosphere.
In addition to playing golf, White is a fervent hockey supporter who has deep ties to the Boston Bruins and Ottawa Senators. Her posts are lively and frequently laced with inside jokes or relevant shout-outs to players like Artem Zub, particularly during the NHL playoffs. She made a joke about only ever talking about the Sens in one particularly popular tweet, then went all out with a selfie wearing a cap with Zub embroidery. Fans who prioritize authenticity over aesthetics will find her online persona particularly relatable.
White’s presence in golf media is especially inventive because of the way she skillfully combines her identities as a partner and a professional. Jake’s success doesn’t take precedence over her career. It runs alongside it. She frequently talks about getting up early to prepare surgical kits, then taking a plane or going to the gallery to support Knapp. This seamless transition between cross-country tour events and life-saving logistics is not only commendable but also subtly revolutionary.
Makena White’s prominence coincides with a shift in the way that athletes are characterized by more than just their numbers. More people are interested in human stories than ever before, particularly those that are based on emotional nuance. She’s not merely observing from the sidelines, either. She is forming stories. Her relationship with Knapp is based on respect and ambition, but what really sticks out is her unique voice, which is sharp, lighthearted, and incredibly clear.
White will undoubtedly stay close to Knapp as he advances through the PGA ranks, but she will always do so on her own terms. Her assistance is sincere and never staged. Her responses are passionate but grounded in sincerity, whether they are in response to a 59 on the scorecard or an overtime hockey goal. When taken as a whole, they paint a striking image of what contemporary sports partnerships can be: dynamic, equal, and subtly strong.
