Jay, the son of an American golf club professional, leads a busy life. He played in 25 events on the European Tour in 1996 and also managed six weeks of hunting as well as spending time at his home in Tequesta, Florida, with his wife Laurie and two young children, Alexandra and Zachary. Hunting is Jay's big passion and his most exotic trophy is a Big Horn Sheep he captured in Alaska in 1994 after a two-and-a-half day trek to reach the hunting area. His latest method of hunting is with archery equipment and he says his pastime is therapeutic after long spells away playing golf. Michigan-born Jay graduated from the University of Florida, where he won all-American honours, and he twice represented his country before turning professional in 1984. He gained immediate entry to the European Tour via the Qualifying School Finals and his best performance to date is second to Sam Torrance in the 1993 Open Catalonia. He has also had a third place finish in the South African PGA Championship and in 1989 he won the South African Tournament of Champions.