Francesco Molinari arrives in Chicago tomorrow morning (MON) looking to win over a city once ruled by Italian mobsters Al Capone, Lucky Luciano and Salvadore Marazano.

It will be Molinari’s first-ever visit to the city also boasting one of the largest concentrations of Italian Americans in the U.S.

In the period 1820 to 1920 more than four million people emigrated from all parts of overcrowded Italy to the U.S.

Francesco Molinari looking to draw on the support of Chicago’s large Italian population.

Among them were Gabriele and Teresina Capone who arrived from the Naples area in 1893 to settle in New York.

The couple had nine children including Alphonse Gabriel Capone who, after being married in 1918, moved his young family in 1923 to Chicago.

Once settled in Chicago ‘Scarface’ Capone became an American ‘Public Enemy No. 1 dedicating his life to smuggling and bootlegging liquor, and other illegal activities such as prostitution.

Despite his illegitimate occupation, Capone also became a highly visible public figure, with many viewing him as a ‘modern-day Robin Hood’ given his many charitable donations from money illegally raised.

More than 500,000 Chicago citizens can today boast claims to Italy and with the Windy City enjoying the third largest American Italian population in the U.S, behind New York and Philadelphia.

It’s for this reason Molinari is looking for Chicago’s huge Italian community to get behind the only Italian in the European Team.

“I remember when I played in the 2009 U.S. Open at Bethpage Park there was a lot of Italians living in New York who came out to support me,” said Molinari.

“It’s for that reason I am hoping that I may get some support even though they will looking for America to win.”

Molinari, like World No. 1 Rory McIlroy and Sweden’s Peter Hanson, will be competing in his second straight Ryder Cup.

But while Molinari could manage just ½ point from three matches in Wales, he’s been inspired by the recent efforts of McIlroy.

“It’s just great to see Rory doing do well as it gives confidence to the team,” said Molinari.

“From my point of view, I’m looking to draw on what he’s been doing, as well as Sergio winning, Paul Lawrie winning and then Peter Hanson winning in Holland,” he said.

“The thing also with so many players in the team playing well, headed by Rory, it takes pressure off all the team.

“I know that it will give my added confidence knowing those players are on my side and not on the USA Team, even though they are going to be very hard to beat in Chicago.

“When we played in Wales it was a tough start for the Europeans but then it was a great relief when Graeme won his match.

“It had been a long build-up to the start of the matches and then when it commenced the competition was very intense week and then before I knew it, it was all over.

“I remember it being emotionally tiring but it was a great week.”

And while Molinari has not matched McIlroy in winning stature the quietly-spoken Turin-born golfer is confident he can handle his own later this week.

“The great thing having Monty as captain is that he made everyone feel very important,” he said.

“Everyone was contributing in the team meetings and I can’t see that changing next week.”

And American Rich Beem, who defeated Tiger Woods to win the 2002 PGA Championship, says this year’s Ryder Cup is shaping up as a heavy-weight battle.

“Both sides are heading into the Ryder Cup playing really well right now, and it’s going to be incredible to see them square off in Chicago,” said Beem.

“It’s pretty amazing too that of the 24 players competing in Chicago they’re all inside the top-35 or so, on the World Rankings.

“That’s why it’s shaping up to be the Mohammed Ali versus Joe Frazier of golf.”