However, McGowan struggled, posting double-bogeys on the ninth and 10th in a one-over round of 73.
Karlsson's one-under 70 was also an eventful affair as it included five birdies and four bogeys.
Woods endured an inconsistent third round with regular bogeys cancelling out some brilliant shots.
Rickie Fowler made three bogeys on the first six holes and was never a factor.
He made six bogeys and three double bogeys the rest of the way for an 81.
Thompson accepted his bogeys and finished with a two-putt birdie on the 18th for a 70.
So it's hard to make birdies and also to keep the bogeys off the card.
His four-shot lead disappeared when he took three bogeys in five holes from the seventh.
In winning in 2008, he made only three bogeys in the first three rounds, plus 13 birdies.
WSJ: At the Masters, the Eighth-Grader Gets Detention | Golf Journal by John Paul Newport
McEvoy earlier impressive form deserted him on day three as he opened with a pair of bogeys.
The aggressive Palmer led by seven shots with nine holes to play when he began making bogeys.
WSJ: Billy Casper, Standing in the Shadow of Legends | Golf Journal
On Thursday, the 156 players in the field collectively posted 407 bogeys or worse on those holes.
World number two Phil Mickelson tied for 14th after an inconsistent week marred by too many bogeys.
And two further bogeys sent him further down the leaderboard to an eventual tie for fifth place.
But the rest of his round was distinctly mixed - seven straight pars, a birdie and two bogeys.
Four more bogeys followed in the next six holes before he steadied the ship with a par-birdie-par finish.
Rose, who had four bogeys in six holes on Thursday, decided not to risk further aggravating the problem.
"I played terrible, " said the 39-year-old, who leaked five bogeys on a still, hot day in Fort Worth.
BBC: Phil Mickelson misses cut in PGA Tour event at Colonial
But tellingly, he scored the same on both nines, two birdies and no bogeys, for a four-under-par total.
Defending champion Woods carded back-to-back bogeys after the turn which made his chase of the leaders almost impossible.
She added six bogeys and two birdies on her way to recording the fourth-worst round of the day.
But the 37-year-old then bogeyed three times, while Steve Stricker's chances went when he finished with back-to-back bogeys.
Mickelson's round on Thursday included five bogeys and two double bogeys, with the American holing just two birdies.
Mickelson missed back-to-back birdie putts of five feet at the 14th and 15th before a run of bogeys.
Australian Scott also slumped, making three consecutive bogeys from the eighth on his way to a scrappy 71.
Mike Weir squeaked out a playoff victory in 2003 with four birdies and no bogeys in the final round.
WSJ: At the Masters, the Eighth-Grader Gets Detention | Golf Journal by John Paul Newport
The 37-year-old Darren Clarke endured a catastrophic third round which included three double-bogeys.
Although Howell caught him with his third birdie in four holes at the 14th, he followed with back-to-back bogeys.
The American began the final round four shots off the lead, but carded five bogeys in a nightmare 75.
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