Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel was all smiles upon arriving at Medinah Country Club Saturday afternoon.

"This is a great event. First of all, I just came from the Gourmet Cuisine; Chicago is the culinary capital. We are now this weekend the sporting capital with this event," Emanuel said. "And everyone that I've run into, from out of town, is raving about the city - how beautiful it looks, they had no idea. 

"Obviously, the executive order on the weather worked. 74, slight breeze. It's amazing how those executive orders work."

Emanuel isn't much of a golfer, unlike his younger brother, Ari, a powerful Hollywood agent who is a member at Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles. But, Rahm Emanuel was thankful to the PGA of America and other organizations affiliated with the Ryder Cup for engaging Chicago's youth in the event.

"They have been great with the kids from the city of Chicago," he said. "Obviously kids from all over, but particularly working with us... making sure kids have access to this event and beyond it.

"I can't thank them enough for making sure everyone from the city of Chicago gets to participate, not just those at the hotels and restaurants."